It was clear from the moment Jacob Oram strode to the crease that the giant New Zealand all-rounder was intent on making a big hit in his first Test against Australia.

As one of the tallest and heaviest men ever to play for his country, Oram cuts an imposing figure on the field but the impression he left on the Aussies was not the size of his frame but the size of his score.

Swatting boundaries to all parts of the Gabba, Oram blasted a career-best 126 not out against the most potent bowling attack in the world to steer the Kiwis to a first innings total of 353.

His 258-minute, 178-ball innings featured 12 fours and three gigantic sixes but was built on the back of a composed display that tormented the Australians after they had New Zealand in trouble the previous day.

"It's only my second Test century but this one means a lot more to me," Oram said.

"It was against Australia, the best team in the world, in their backyard and also the time I went into the wicket.

"We were in a spot of bother when I came, in so to play a leading hand in turning the ship around was very special to me."

Oram was criticised in New Zealand for failing to show any emotion when he made his maiden Test hundred but there was no mistaking his feelings on Friday.

After driving Jason Gillespie through the covers and scampering through for the two runs he needed to reach triple figures, he kissed his bat and pointed to the sky.

GREAT SUPPORTER

"That was for my grandfather, he died three months ago," Oram explained. "He was probably my biggest critic but he was also a great supporter of mine and was proud of my achievements. I wish he could have been here."

At 1.98 metres (6ft 7in) tall and with a broad build, Oram could well have been lost to cricket after years of being pestered to play rugby but he never fancied himself as an All Black despite coming from the rugby heartland of Manwatu.

He chose soccer instead and was good enough to earn selection in the New Zealand Under 20s team as a goalkeeper before concentrating his talents on cricket.

Oram, 26, made his test debut against India in 2002 but injuries have stalled his career and it was not until this year that he began to show his true potential.

Although he bats left-handed, he bowls right and is recognised as an astute thinker having captained his first-class team at 20. He has already been earmarked as a possible successor to Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's next skipper.

New Zealand have a long history of producing talented all-rounders but could not have expected to find a replacement for Chris Cairns, who recently retired from test cricket, so soon although Oram dislikes the comparison.

"I'm not quite at that level yet," he said. "Cairnsy's just an explosive player who can blow the game open from ball one...whereas it probably takes me a bit of time."