Literalism in sports journalism

Jacob Oram, New Zealand all-rounder, recently broke a finger making a catch in a match against Australia. Bad time for an injury, with the cricket World Cup just weeks away. Oram, understandably, wants to play.

""We've got taping techniques and guards that fit into a batting glove, and I'm confident I'll be fine. ... If it means cutting the finger off, if that's the last resort, I'll do that, there's no way I'm missing this."

Now two news outlets, the BBC and Cricinfo, are reporting that Oram is seriously considering having his broken finger amputated.

Maybe this is a case cultural misunderstanding, but this just seems like a case of hyperbole on Oram's part. Surely he's just saying that he's going to play, no matter what. He'd be better off playing with a taped-up finger than one that's not even there, right?