British press hails Woolmer, the friendly 'citizen of world cricket' by AFP

---

Player:	RA Woolmer
Event:	ICC World Cup 2006/07

---

DateLine: 19th March 2007

 

Pakistan's cricket coach, Bob Woolmer, was a garrulous "citizen of world cricket" whose pioneering career as a coach was brought to an end by a cruel twist of fate, British newspapers said Monday.

 

His use of computer technology to pinpoint players' weak spots and his cheerful character were the hallmarks of his approach to the game, the Daily Telegraph wrote.

 

But these qualities were "tested to the limit by his last seven months in charge of the Pakistan team, which lurched from one crisis to another", the paper added.

 

These included the now-notorious match last September in England when umpire Darrell Hair's decision to dock Pakistan five runs for ball-tampering triggered a sit-in by the team.

 

The following month, fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif failed drugs tests, although later had their bans overturned on appeal but despite such difficulties, Woolmer was able to discipline the team, the Times said.

 

"He took particular care not to offend the Muslim players, supporters and administrators, although he declined to join the team in their prayers," the paper's obituary said.

 

"He would tell them cricket was his religion."

 

The ability of Woolmer, a Briton, to work across cultures was also highlighted when he was coach of South Africa between 1994 and 1999, the Guardian said.

 

It was to "cricket's lasting benefit" that Woolmer was involved with South Africa when the country was readmitted to international cricket, the paper added.

 

"His fairmindedness helped to soothe any lasting resentment between black and white; his appetite for technical innovation ensured that a country that had become backward in cricketing terms during its years of isolation was able to adopt new methods quickly and successfully," it said.

 

The Daily Mirror tabloid was alone in digging for scandal over Woolmer's death -- it suggested he had died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and prescription drugs, although did not give further details.

 

Tributes from the likes of former Test umpire Dickie Bird -- who hailed Woolmer as "the finest cricket coach in the world" -- were far more common.

 

"His enthusiasm for the game never wavered," the Times added.

 

"Even when results were poor, he was never downcast for long."

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)