Oram: follows up great series with the ball with crucial knock with the bat

New Zealand's latest Test cap Jacob Oram might have had a dream start to his career, two Test victories, 11 Test wickets at an average of 11.09 and an example of batting under pressure, but he's not lifting his feet off the ground.

He knows that the tailor-made conditions in Wellington and Hamilton for the National Bank Series against India, will be far from those that might be struck in New Zealand's next Test cricket excursions to Sri Lanka and India next year.

But when he went out to bat today, as New Zealand were in danger of letting a winning opportunity slip from their grasp at 105/5 with India at peak confidence, it was another aspect of his cricket that was on display - his batting.

Through this first series it has been his bowling that has been most important for New Zealand but after a first Test duck and a three in the first innings in this Test, he was determined to show the Indians he could bat.

"I was more nervous than I have ever been. I thought I was nervous before my first Test innings last week and it probably showed in my batting.

"But, I tell you, today was the most nervous I've ever been, and I honestly mean that.

"Just the whole situation with the game in the balance. You can either win, or you can draw the series, and wickets were falling pretty regularly.

"I just wanted to hold the ship steady for awhile and have positive intent," he said.

Oram was satisfied to achieve his goal of showing that he could bat under pressure. He acknowledged that the majority of times that he has "performed" in cricket, it has been in favourable conditions. But, in the 50/50 situation this match had become, he had pulled through.

"I showed my peers, who I respect the most and whose opinions I hold in high regard, that in pressure situations I can come through," he said.

It was all a little unbelievable as an introduction to Test cricket. Bowling had been a priority for him after his selection, a selection that he thought had come a little early for him. But conditions had suited him well. He had been able to put the ball in the required spot and he'd been backed by some good fielding and had shown the selectors had got it right.

Oram didn't think New Zealand were home in their quest for 160 to win, until they were in single figures left for victory.

"We were on 12 to win for a couple of overs and I remember thinking one wicket with three to go and Harbhajan [Singh] turning it, that it could be tricky.

"But once there were six or seven to go, I realised we had it and you could tell that once we needed only singles figures, the Indians dropped their heads and it was game over.

"I just wanted to be out there when the winning runs were hit," he said.

One shot, a cover driven boundary of Harbhajan had not been executed quite as he would have liked, but he had enough power in the shot to stay out of trouble.

He thought to himself: "This is turning out to be a good innings, let's have a not out and enjoy the moment when you are out here and hit the winnings runs."

It didn't quite turn out that way as Oram had to concede that right to home town boy Robbie Hart.

It is certain, however, that the Indians will go into the one-day series, knowing that Oram is more than just a bowler who has to be watched while Oram is looking to carry on, knowing that tougher times are ahead, and he's looking forward to the challenge.

© CricInfo