New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram will announce his retirement from Test cricket this week but will continue to play shorter forms of the game, local media reported on Monday.

The Dominion-Post newspaper said Oram, 31, hoped to prolong his injury-plagued career by quitting tests to concentrate on Twenty20 and one-day internationals. The newspaper did not quote Oram but attributed its report to "an impeccable source".

Oram 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 said 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.

The alternative, the newspaper said, was for Oram to play tests as a batsman but to cease bowling, an option he is said to have rejected.

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