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Untitled Document
 Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer dies
19th Mar 2007 01:34 IST
Agencies
Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer suddenly died in mysterious circumstances today, hours after Pakistan's shocking elimination from the World Cup after the defeat at the hands of Ireland.
Fifty-eight-year old heavy built former England player, who has been the coach of the unpredictable and mercurial Pakistan team for about three years, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica and was rushed to a hospital.
According to Pakistan team media manager Pervez Mir, Woolmer was pronounced dead on arrival at the University Hospital, a news that caused a shock in the cricket world and cast a gloom over the World Cup.
"I have to say with great sadness that Woolmer has died. The doctors in the ICU have pronounced him dead," Mir said.
He said Woolmer was rushed to hospital this morning after being found unconsciousness in his hotel room with signs of vomiting.
"He was in critical condition. We have informed his wife and family in South Africa," another Pakistan team official said.
Pakistan tumbled out of the World Cup on Saturday after a shocking defeat to Ireland.
The post-match press conference after Pakistan's three-wicket loss to Ireland on Saturday was the last time Woolmer was seen in public.
The team got concerned when he didn't come out of his room this morning.
Woolmer's comments about the stress of being an international coach yesterday now have an eerie ring to them.
"It takes a toll on you. You are away from the family, always travelling and living out of the suitcase," he had said.
Woolmer took over as Pakistan's coach from Javed Miandad after the team suffered its first ever home loss to arch-rivals India in early 2004.
He had earlier coached his native South Africa for five years from 1994 to 1999 and led them to World Cup final in England before quitting to become the ICC High Performance Manager.
Woolmer, who was born in the Uttar Pradesh city of Kanpur in 1948 and could speak a smattering of Hindi, made his Test debut for England against Australia in 1975 and went on to score 1059 runs at 33.09 in 19 Tests.
He also played for English county club Kent and South Africa's Natal and Western Province in first-class cricket.
After retiring as a player, he was Director of Coaching with Warwickshire county club who won the NatWest Trophy in 1993 and three more titles the following year under him. |
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