Black Caps bring back Oram

Jacob Oram has been included in New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad, while there are also places for Jamie How and Luke Woodcock.

All-rounder Oram has had fitness problems throughout his career and he underwent surgery on a patella-tendon problem last year.

However the 32-year-old has returned to action in domestic cricket, showing the selectors he is fit to play in the 50-over tournament next month.

"I saw him throwing himself around a couple of rounds ago (in domestic cricket), looking nimble, bowling his overs,"chief selector Mark Greatbatch said.

"We've missed him the last year. If you look at his numbers he's impressive at the world stage and in one-day international cricket.

"His economy rate in the last 12-15 months when he's played, which is about a dozen games, he's going at less than four (per over).

"He brings a lot of control for our attack, he's experienced and it's a stage for his batting to come right at the lower end of the order."

Bennett selected

Oram is joined in the party by Wellington left-arm spinner Woodcock, who has previously only played Twenty20 cricket for his country.

There is also a place for promising Canterbury seamer Hamish Bennett ahead of the more experienced Daryl Tuffey.

Batsmen Kane Williamson and How have also been named with the latter being the second choice wicketkeeper, meaning there is no room for Peter McGlashan in the final squad.

"I kept in a World Cup game a few years ago. At the end of the day it is about catching the ball and he was really keen about doing it,"Greatbatch said.

New Zealand, who have lost their last 11 one-dayers, take on Pakistan in a six-match series on home soil before setting off for the World Cup.

New Zealand squad:Daniel Vettori (captain), Ross Taylor (vice-captain), Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Jamie How, Luke Woodcock, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Hamish Bennett.

Source