Adil Najam
Robert (Bob) Andrew Woolmer, most recently the Head Coach for the Pakistan cricket team died of a massive heart attack in Jamaica earlier today. He was born on May 14, 1948, in Kanpur India, played 19 tests and 6 one day internationals for England and was amongst the first in a generation of ‘super coaches’ in international cricket.
His tenure as Pakistan’s cricket coach was a particularly tumultuous one, especially recently. Its lowest point was yesterday when Pakistan – under his coaching – lost miserably to Ireland. This was a massive blow for the Pakistan team, people and obviously for Bob Woolmer. The massive heart attack he suffered today ultimately took his life.
According to BBC News:
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has died after being discovered in his Jamaica hotel room on Sunday morning. The 58-year-old former South Africa coach, who played for England between 1975-81, was found unconscious at the Pegasus Hotel at 1045 local time.
He was taken to the emergency ward of the nearby University hospital but did not regain consciousness. Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday after losing by three wickets to minnows Ireland. Woolmer told BBC Radio Five Live after the Ireland match that he was considering his future in the game.
“My contract runs out on 30 June anyway but I want to sleep on it before I make a decision about my future,” he said on Saturday evening. “I have said I am reluctant to continue in international cricket purely because of all the travelling but I will stay in cricket at a different level. “But I think the decision has been made for me really. I will talk to the PCB and if they want me to stay until 30 June I will stay, if they want me to go I will go.
“I am not going to break my contract but if the PCB want to get rid of me that is their business.” Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup have been far from ideal, which Woolmer also alluded to. Following the infamous forfeited Test against England at The Oval last summer, two of their leading fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, were suspended after failing doping tests.
A great loss to cricket. The pair later saw those bans rescinded but missed the World Cup because of injury, something Woolmer admitted had hindered the team. “There are a number of extenuating circumstances in the last six months that have made coaching Pakistan slightly different to normal sides,” he said. “Those are the things I would have to consider and those things would have to change if I was to continue.”
According to an Associated Press report on reaction in Pakistan:
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Naseem Ashraf said Bob Woolmer’s death was a “a loss for the cricketing world.” “He was a thorough gentleman who instilled team spirit in the team,” Ashraf told Pakistani private channel Geo Television. “He was a very popular personality in our cricket team.”
Ashraf said Woolmer had informed him that he had breathing problems during sleep at night and was also diabetic. “He informed me this just before the team departed for the West Indies and I told him ‘take care of yourself Bob’,” Ashraf said. “But Woolmer told me it was nothing new for him as he wore mask during sleeping.” Ashraf said that when he spent some days in Jamaica with the team, he thought Woolmer was perfectly alright.
“I am very sad and I think he took stress after Pakistan lost to Ireland,” said former test cricketer Hanif Mohammad. Pakistan’s injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who was sidelined for the World Cup, described Woolmer’s death as a “big tragedy.” “I am very sad,” Akhtar told Geo television. “It’s a very big tragedy and I am completely in a shock.
“Before leaving for the West Indies, we met each other, we both hugged each other and we shared lots of thoughts. “He used to call me ‘Son.’ My whole sympathies are with his family.” Akhtar, under a doping cloud after testing positive for nandrolone last year, has long struggled with how to manage his express pace and avoid injuries. “I have learnt a lot from him. He tried his best to coach us professionally,” Akhtar said. “He was very fun-loving and I can’t believe he could pass like that.”
Former coach Javed Miandad, Woolmer’s immediate predecessor as coach, said that the former England test batsman tried his best for the Pakistan team. “It’s shocking news and I am very sad too,” Miandad said. “I have played cricket with him in the Kerry Packer era and when he took over I hosted him at home and informed him about the Pakistan team.”
Hi people..
still feeling saddened and shocked.. just wanted to share an email exchange i had with Mr.Woolmer – this was in 2006 when Pakistan team was in great form and did really well in the series in India – just a little exchange but shows the person who respected the beliefs of the team and was trying to do all he can by working from within the system instead of changing them as an outsider – i asked the question on the forum on his website.. may he rest in peace..
“Question on 2006-02-08 02:51:08:
Hi Bob!
Congratulations! Once again for the great performance by the Pakistani team. We’re all very proud of you and the team. I had a question for a while but never got the chance to directly ask the Pakistani Cricket team’s coach =) So here’s my chance i suppose.
The question is that do we have Sports Psychologist for the team? I believe that it would be great to introduce such a person in the team so he can help the players deal with the pressure and other issues to help them retain their confidence. Especially with the World Cup approaching taking initiatives that would sustain the confidence the players have right now for the long term would be a good strategy. Teams like Australia for example have this ability to not collapse completely in the face of pressure and Pakistan has improve A LOT as evident in the last few series but you know to take this into consideration seriously would be a good strategic move. Your thoughts? Thanks… and We (all Pakistani supporters) really appreciate all the efforts you’ve put into the team and we hope to see you here for a long time :)
Answer by Bob:
Hi saniya,
I think we have the greatest sports psychologist in the world. Allah he guides the team 5 times a day to do the correct thing.
Bob
“
Yea indeed sad news…
Is the cause of death confirm to be a heart attack ???
Naseem Ashraf and Wasim Bari should resign on immediate basis, just like Inzamam did.
My feelings are just like others, I wasn’t that down on Pakistan’s poor performance but Bob’s death has caused me feel so bad. I really feel very sad for Great Bob Wolmer who has sacrificed his life for our country. He was a man who was mentally abused by so many players and ex-players and physically by Shoaib Akhter but he still continued on his job.
Even yesterday when we lost, I wrote here that its not Bob Wolmer’s fault cuz even if you hire the best coach he can’t train any team who has no interest to win themselves.
To be very honest, I feel the sacrifice that Bob has made is a bit too much for a team of losers like Pakistan cricket team.
This very sad news should make all of us in the subcontinent take this game (and ourselves, if possible) a little less seriously. This could have easily been India’s position (and could still be). We praise and condemn equally speedily and expansively, and our vilification descends to depths commensurate with the height of our unrealistic expectations (hopes?).
Whatever the cause of Mr. Woolmer’s death, the responsibility lies with our subcontinental hysteria over cricket. But will we change now at least? More likely, we will unfailingly win the World Cup each time.