WELLINGTON: New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram will retire from test cricket but plans to continue playing shorter forms of the game.

"This decision has been a very tough one and has not been made without careful consideration and discussion with those closest to me," Oram said Tuesday. "The last few years have shown that my body cannot handle the strains and stresses that come with being an allrounder, playing all three formats for up to 10 months a year.

"For the sake of longevity I have had to make a decision that will decrease my workload, so I can concentrate all my efforts on the shorter forms of the game."

Oram, 31, was forced to return home from the recent Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament in South Africa without playing a match because of a hamstring strain, the latest in a long series of injuries which has hampered his career.

The Dominion-Post reported Monday that Oram was "devastated" by the latest setback and had decided to give up tests in the hope of extending his career, particularly to continue playing in the Indian Premier League.

Oram scored five centuries and averaged 36 in 33 tests for New Zealand and took 60 test wickets at 33.05.