World Cup stunned by death of Pakistan coach Woolmer by AFP

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

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DateLine: 18th March 2007

 

Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer died in hospital here on Sunday after being found unconscious on the floor of his World Cup hotel room, an official confirmed.

 

Woolmer, a former England Test player and South Africa coach, was 58 years old.

 

P.J. Mir, Pakistan's media manager, told tv channel ARYONE from the West Indies: "Bob Woolmer has passed away. I am speaking from the hospital and all the team management is also at the hospital.

 

"Doctors have pronounced Bob Woolmer dead. Bob has passed away and it is very shocking news to all of the team and the team mamangement.

 

"Bob's family and wife were informed by the management about his condition when he was brought to hospital."

 

Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday after a shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland. Woolmer was last seen in public when he addressed the post-match media conference at the Sabina Park ground.

 

Ironically, he talked of the stresses of the coaching job.

 

"Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you - the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels."

 

Sky Sports had earlier reported that Woolmer was found at 1045 local time (1545GMT) on the floor of his hotel room unconscious and with signs of vomiting.

 

An ambulance took him to the Kingston University Hospital.

 

Woolmer, who took charge of the Pakistan team in 2004, was seen late on Saturday night, but officials raised the alarm after not seeing him early on Sunday.

 

When they went to his hotel room, they saw he was unconscious.

 

In his playing career, Woolmer appeared for Kent in the English county championship and played 19 Tests for England.

 

He has also coached the South African national team.

 

Fate brought him to Pakistan in 2004 as coach, regarded the country's hottest post which had seen five changes since 1999 until his arrival.

 

He forged a strong relationship with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and saw to it that the skilful cricketers always remained strong in basics.

 

Born in the Indian city of Kanpur in 1948, Woolmer missed the inaugural World Cup in 1975 due to injury.

 

His playing career ended prematurely as he first joined Kerry Packer World Series Cricket and then went on rebel tours to South Africa in 1980s.

 

He steadily developed into a renowned coach, and was credited with pioneering the use of computers in cricket.

 

Pakistan face Zimbabwe on Wednesday in their final World Cup group match.

 

Andrew Walpole, spokesman for the England team at the World Cup, said: "Our thoughts are with Bob's family. This has come as a huge shock to all of the England team.

 

"He was a figure who commanded great respect within world cricket and he will be sorely missed."

 

Factfile
Full Name: Robert Andrew Woolmer
Date of birth: 14 May 1948
Place of birth: Kanpur, India
Batting Style: Right-hand bat
Bowling Style: Right-arm medium
Teams: England, Kent, Natal, Western Province
Test Debut: Against Australia at Lord's on 31-07-1975
ODI Debut: Against Australia at Old Trafford on 24-08-1972

 

International career details:
Tests: 19, Runs: 1,059, Highest score: 149, Average: 33.09, 100s: 3, Wickets: 4

 

ODIs: 6, Runs: 21, Highest score: 9, Average: 5.25, 100s: 0, Wickets: 9

 

Coaching career:
1991: Appointed Director of Coaching at Warwickshire CCC.
1993: Warwickshire wins the NatWest Trophy.
1994: Warwickshire win 3 out of 4 trophies and are runners up in the NatWest series. Appointed coach of South Africa.
1999: Leaves South Africa job after team fails to make World Cup final
2001: Joins ICC as High Performance Manager.
2005: Appointed coach of Pakistan

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)