Fed up of battling constant injury breakdowns, New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram on Tuesday retired from Test cricket to prolong his career in the shorter formats of the game.
Announcing his decision, which is effective immediately, Oram said a reduced workload would allow him to prolong his international career.
Oram has played 33 Tests since his debut in December 2002, scoring 1780 runs at an average of 36.32. His record includes five centuries and six half-centuries, with a high score of 133 against South Africa at Centurion in April 2006.
With the ball, Oram has taken 60 Test wickets at an average of 33.05. His best Test bowling of 4 for 41 came against India at Hamilton in 2002. For a period in 2008 he was in the top five ICC rankings for Test all-rounders.
"I have decided to retire from Test cricket. This decision has been a very tough one and has not been made without careful consideration and discussion with those closest to me," 31-year-old Oram, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury that cut short his Champions Trophy participation, told reporters here.
"The last few years have shown that my body cannot handle the strains and stresses that come with being an all-rounder, playing all three formats for up to 10 months a year."
Oram said New Zealand does not play as many Test matches as one-dayers and Twenty20s which is why he has chosen to continue in the shorter versions of the game.
"For the sake of longevity I have had to make a decision that will decrease my workload," he said.
"The decision to choose limited-overs cricket over Test cricket has a lot to do with playing opportunities. The Blackcaps play a lot more limited overs cricket than Tests, and there's also the opportunity to continue playing in world events such as the World Cup, World T20 and Champions Trophy, as well as the Indian Premier League," he explained.
Oram said spending more time with his family was also a factor as he prepares to become a father for the first time.
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