Oram boost for Kiwis

Jacob Oram has suffered from several problems in his lower back © Getty Images

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New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram has been given the welcome news that his latest back injury is not as serious as first thought.

The 30-year-old has seen New Zealand Cricket doctor Rob Campbell in Christchurch and an MRI scan has revealed a soft tissue injury rather than any issues with the bone which had been feared.

Oram was forced to return early from the BlackCaps tour of Bangladesh after experiencing stiffness in his lower back while bowling during the first Test in Chittagong.

“It is reassuring to know that it is only a soft tissue injury,” said Oram. “I have had some major lower back problems over my career and while you are always hopefully 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.”

The number one ranked one-day all-rounder will be reassessed in a week’s time with no date yet set for a likely comeback with New Zealand’s two-Test tour to Australia starting with a warm-up match against New South Wales in Sydney on November 13.