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Woolmer's death brings tragedy to World Cup

Tragedy struck the World Cup cricket tournament when the news broke out that Bob Woolmer, the Pakistani coach had died.

Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room and was rushed to University Hospital and died an hour later. Woolmer was discovered lying on the floor in his hotel room with vomit and blood round him.

Woolmer, 58, had been a diabetic and had complained of breathing difficulties before leaving for the World Cup. He is survived by his wife Gill and two sons, who are in South Africa. He played 19 Tests for England and worked as coach in three countries.

Obviously Pakistan's loss to minnows Ireland would have been too much of a shock for the coach. With this defeat went out chances of proceeding further in the World Cup was bleak and knowing what the reactions of the fans back home, would have been too much shock and pressure on Woolmer.

I met Woolmer when the Sri Lankan under 25 cricketers toured South Africa under Sanath Jayasuriya. Woolmer was then the coach of the Proteas and in a chat with him, he spoke highly of our under 25 cricketers and said that from what he sees there was a lot of a talent and that the game would make great progress if the talent is allowed to develop and progress.

That team to South Africa had players of the calibre of Muttiah Muralitharan and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe. Jayantha Seneviratne went as coach and Jayantha Paranathala was the Manager. I represented the ANCL Group.

Woolmer is not the first coach and cricketer to die in the West Indies. Ken Barrington who toured here with the England team as Manager was the first, the former England batsman.

Woolmer's passing away was moaned by all teams playing in the World Cup. Here's what Brian Lara, the West Indies captain and hosts of the World Cup said: My immediate thoughts are with his family and the Pakistan team and my deepest condolences go out to them.

I had a wonderful relationship with Bob at Warwickshire in 1994 and our relationship continued to grow over the years, even though we sat in different dressing rooms.

He was a very focused man, with a great love for the game. But what shone through was the great love he had for the players under his charge, everyone meant something to him. Lara was quoted in the Trinidad Guardian.

Incidentally Sri Lanka Cricket had been in touch with Bob Woolmer, inquiring whether he would like to come over as coach. But no further progress was made.

The Sri Lanka cricketers too were saddened by the death of Woolmer and expressed their deepest sympathies to his wife and family.

TRINIDAD, Monday

 

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