New Zealand's Oram misses clash with Australia

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, Apr 19 (Reuters) New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram will miss his team's final World Cup Super Eights match against world champions Australia tomorrow because of a bruised heel.

Coach John Bracewell told a news conference today that Oram was expected to be fit for the semi-final against Sri Lanka in Jamaica on Tuesday.

''That's one of the reasons he's not playing tomorrow,'' Bracewell said. ''Given his position in the team it's a huge risk to play him in a game that has no impact on the semi-finals.'' Bracewell said the injury was already starting to get better with rest and indicated that James Franklin could be promoted from number nine to bat in Oram's position at six ahead of wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori.

REUTERS BJR VC2125