Oram free of serious back injury

Jacob Oram, the New Zealand allrounder, has no serious problems with his back and is expected to begin rehabilitation on Wednesday. Oram was forced to return home before the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur after experiencing pain during the first game.

Oram visited Rob Campbell, the New Zealand Cricket doctor, in Christchurch and was cleared after undergoing an MRI scan. "It is reassuring to know that it is only a soft tissue injury," Oram said. "I have had some major lower-back problems over my career and, while you are always hopeful that the latest problem is not a pointer to something more serious, you can never be certain. Back problems and fast bowling go hand in hand.

"I will be reassessed in a week's time by the medical staff and we should be able to get a better indicator then of when I am likely to get back to the bowling crease."

Oram has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He was forced out of the Napier Test against England earlier this year and, in the return series, he pulled out of the Twenty20 international at Old Trafford after hurting himself during the warm-up. He was ruled out of the first three ODIs but returned for the last two matches.