Jacob Oram

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Napier, March 2 NZPA - Jacob Oram insists he isn't playing for his international spot as New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori backs his star allrounder to find form down the order in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.

Oram has appeared to struggle with bat and ball in recent weeks, with former New Zealand coach Warren Lees and test paceman-turned-commentator Simon Doull both calling for him to be dropped ahead of tomorrow's one-day series opener against Australia here.

Such calls stunned Oram, who scored one and nought in his two Twenty20 innings against Australia and conceded 67 off a combined six overs.

"I've said many times in the last 12-18 months, I don't feel like I am playing for my place in the team, but I have been more inconsistent than I would have liked," he told Radio Sport.

"I try not to let outside stuff affect me and that's still the case. I will reiterate, though, that I've seen my performances haven't been up to scratch and I need to make sure I do something about that."

Speculation about Oram's international future grew last October when he announced the end of his 33-test career amid another frustrating injury run.

Having played 138 one-day internationals in a nine-year career, Oram is scheduled to depart for the lucrative Indian Premier League once his involvement with the current series ends.

Oram, 31, plundered 102 not out off 72 balls against Australia in Perth three years ago, and in 18 one-dayers against Australia he has scored 436 runs at an average of 31.14, and taken 10 wickets at 79.30.

His recent batting form has been the concern.

Since the start of 2009, Oram batted 11 times in one-dayers, scoring 200 runs at 20. His only half-century in that time was here at McLean Park against Bangladesh last month when he slayed 83 off 40 balls.

Vettori backed his friend and teammate, adding he was better suited at No 7 or No 8 as a specialist hitter.

"Jake's all right. Cricket's such a relative thing, a few games ago against Bangladesh everyone was saying he was back, he got 80 off 40 balls," Vettori said.

"It's all about one performance and if Jake gets it in this game or the next game then he'll be feeling fine.

"He's picked more in this team as a bowler and he's done a very good job as a one-day bowler and we're just wanting him to get back into form with the bat. We're hoping with the pressure off a little bit down the order, that'll enable him to do that."

Oram admitted he'd prefer batting higher as Vettori, Neil Broom and James Franklin slip ahead in the order.

"I understand the reasons for others maybe going a touch higher, but it would be nice to get more of an opportunity," he said.

"But if I go down to about six, seven or eight, whatever it is, then again there's a role for me to do there."