Franklin puts his hand up as Oram's replacement for Tests

Wellington, Oct.14 (ANI): Wellington all-rounder James Franklin believes he is the man who can replace Jacob Oram in the New Zealand middle order lineup for Tests.

Franklin, who represents the English county side Gloucestershire in the New Zealand off-season, has scored 904 runs at an average of 50.22 with three hundreds and also chipped in with 31 wickets at 29.12.

When told that Oram had confirmed his retirement from Test cricket, the NZPA quoted Franklin, as saying: "I'm hoping [the selectors] think I'm the guy for that. I think I can do a job there for New Zealand. I've done it for years for Wellington, batting at No.6 and bowling, so it's nothing different for me."

"It's just the step up to international cricket and performing consistently well over a long period of time - that's the real challenge. I think I could give it a good crack but it's up to the selectors to decide who they want in that spot," he added.

There's no doubt Franklin, 28, has the ability to bat at No6 averaging a respectable 32.65 in Test cricket. (ANI)