The Black Caps all-rounder has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
But when he is at the top of his game the big left hander is still one of the most potent all-rounders in the world.
And he gave a small crowd of 765 a glimpse of that yesterday.
The 31-year-old joined Tim Weston at the crease with his side struggling at 60 for three.
Oram scratched around early.
Some awkwardness was followed by brilliance before another lapse into mediocrity.
But the innings carried the stamp of class.
Off-spinner Nathan McCullum could only watch in awe as Oram lofted him back over his head.
The ball made a decent clang when it collided with the sight screen.
It was poetry.
"From a personal perspective, this is the only form of cricket I play now, so I need to make it count when I do play," Oram said.
He retired from test cricket earlier this year but is still available for limited-over matches.
"I still feel a little rusty. I'm hoping I'll start to find my feet during the HRV Cup. Three weeks ago I had not played since Dubai . . . but I do feel like I'm getting my rhythm back.
"You can face a million balls on the bowling machine in the nets but there is no substitute for getting out in the middle."
Oram had a tinge of regret about his decision to retire when he watched the Black Caps defeat Pakistan in Dunedin in November, but it was fleeting.
"I had to make this decision. I couldn't keep going from injury to injury."
Oram and his wife Mara had their first child - Patrick - in mid-November and it has given him a new view on life.
"Cricket is my job and my passion and I love it, but it really has put my life in perspective."
The win lifts Central Districts to 12 points and leaves it well-placed to make the top four.
"We won our first game but didn't play well at all in our next two. With only eight rounds this year it was sort of do or die for us."
