Worcestershire CCC is delighted to announce the signing of New Zealand international Jacob Oram for the duration of the 2013 Friends Life t20 campaign.

Aged 34, the blackcap has represented New Zealand in an international career spanning 11 years. The skilled all-rounder was released from his contract with New Zealand Cricket in 2012 to enable him to focus his attention on the shortened format of the game.

With 99 t20 appearances to his name, Oram has experienced t20 at the top level. His highest t20 score of 66* came when New Zealand toured Australia in December 2007.

Across these appearances Oram has collected 77 t20 wickets, including a match-winning 5-14 in January 2010 when Central Districts Stags progressed to win New Zealand’s HRV t20 Cup. Oram ended this series as the competition’s highest wicket-taker.

On international duty, the all-rounder’s statistics are equally impressive. A remarkable 3-33 against Sri Lanka saw him become the second player (of which there are only three) to claim a hat-trick in an international t20.

This winter, Oram has represented the BPL finalists Chittagong Kings and will also be part of the Mumbai Indians franchise for their 2013 IPL campaign.

Director of Cricket, Steve Rhodes, commented “I have admired Jacob's all-round qualities for some time now and his t20 experience, which he has gained from global competitions, is a major plus factor in our desire to have a successful Friends Life t20 campaign. He can bowl at the start, middle or end of the innings and can clear the ropes as a batsman, so our supporters will enjoy watching his exciting performances.”

Oram commented “The opportunity to play for Worcestershire CCC in this season's Friends Life t20 competition was something I could not turn down. While I have never played County cricket, it has always been a goal of mine so I am very excited at the prospect of representing the Club.

“Another attraction to Worcestershire was the chance to play at the picturesque New Road cricket ground. I have played a few games there for New Zealand (2004 and 2008), as well as the New Zealand Youth Team (1996). It's a beautiful ground and one that I will be privileged to call "home", at least for a month!”

You can see Worcestershire CCC’s newest recruit fresh from IPL duty, when Friends Life t20 action returns to New Road on 28th June.