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World Cup stunned by death of Pakistan coach Woolmer

Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer died in hospital in Kingston, Jamaica this morning after being found unconscious on the floor of his World Cup hotel room.

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

PJ Mir, Pakistan's media manager, told local TV: "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 management.

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

Woolmer's death came less than 24 hours after Pakistan was knocked out of the World Cup with 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 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 (local time), but officials raised the alarm after not seeing him early on Sunday.

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

Playing career

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.

Woolmer became Pakistan coach in 2004 and forged a strong working relationship with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

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 in their final World Cup group match on Thursday morning (Australian time).

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."

-AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1874741.htm

It now appears that he was murdered. When they started burning effigies of Bob Woolmer in the streets of Pakistan and then he was found dead I thought it was a bit suss.

Ricky Ponting said it best when he said this reminds us all that there are more important things than a game of cricket.

Jamaican police statement on death of Bob Woolmer

The following is the text of a statement from Lucius Thomas, the Commissioner of Police for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, on the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer:

"Consistent with our approach from the time Pakistani cricket coach, Mr Robert Woolmer was found in his hotel room on Sunday, March 18, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has updated the media on all developments concerning our investigations of this case.

"The Jamaican police are in a position to inform that it is now in possession of the official post-mortem report from the government pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the late Mr Woolmer.

"The pathologist report is now available and states that Mr Woolmer's death was due to asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation. In these circumstances, the matter of Mr Robert Woolmer's death is now being treated by the Jamaica Police as a case of murder.

"Steps are being taken to conclude these investigations which include collecting statements from all persons who in the opinion of the police can be of assistance to these investigations.

"In due course further announcements will be made as to the progress our investigations of Mr Woolmer's murder.

"The JCF is making an appeal to anyone who may have information that would help us to identify Bob Woolmer's killer or killers to come forward in order that his wife, Gill, and his family can begin the process of healing.

"It is our belief that those associated with or having access to Mr Woolmer may have vital information that would assist this inquiry. We appeal to these individuals to come forward now to assist us with our investigation.

"Our condolences go out to Gill, Bob's widow and their sons, friends and members of the Pakistan team."

-Text of statement provided by AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/columns/200703/s1879717.htm?cricket

Aussie bowlers capitalise on Hayden's knock

Matthew Hayden blasted the fastest World Cup century and the bowlers shook off their chokers tag as Australia crushed top-ranked South Africa by 83 runs in St Kitts and Nevis this morning.

Hayden's ton off just 66 balls was the conerstone of Australia's highest World Cup total of 6 for 377 after they were put into bat in the highly-anticipated Group A encounter.

The Proteas were cruising along at 1 for 184 after 25 overs but were bowled out for 294 in 48 overs as Australia's bowlers proved they can defend an imposing total.

Led by spinner Brad Hogg (3 for 61) and quicks Nathan Bracken (2 for 40) and Shaun Tait (2 for 61), they were able to make inroads and South Africa could not handle the pressure.

The win gave two extra points to the defending champions in the Super Eights and extra confidence in their bid to achieve a hat-trick of World Cup titles.

Man-of-the-match Hayden hit 101 and put on 106 for the first wicket with Adam Gilchrist (42 off 42 balls) to set the tone for a high-scoring contest at the compact Warner Park ground.

Michael Clarke (92) and skipper Ricky Ponting (91) joined the run feast.

The 35-year-old Hayden beat the previous fastest World Cup century off 67 balls, which was set by Canada's John Davison against the West Indies at Centurion in 2003.

He achieved the record with a six off Proteas captain Graeme Smith.

"We had the right conditions here for a big total, it's a small ground and a very good wicket," Hayden said.

"I was surprised how good a wicket it was."

Hayden hit the first ball of the match for four off Shaun Pollock (83 runs off 10 wicketless overs) and never looked back, while Gilchrist feasted on Makhaya Ntini (1 for 68 off nine overs).

"It was sort of premeditated to some degree, but you still have to weigh up the conditions. I wasn't sure how the wicket was going to play, it was pretty true," Hayden said.

"I fancied myself against Pollock and Ntini bowls those great shapes to Adam."

Hayden was out for 101 off 68 balls when he was caught by Herschelle Gibbs off Jacques Kallis, having clubbed 14 fours and for sixes.

The South Africans were sloppy in the field, twice dropping Clarke to add to their bowling problems.

Ponting became the seventh batsman in ODI cricket to reach 10,000 runs when he got to 8.

Proteas collapse

Proteas openers Smith (74) and AB de Villiers (92) gave the Australian bowlers no respite early in their reply, before their team collapsed to lose their last nine wickets for 74 runs.

De Villiers showed his intentions by sending Bracken's fourth ball of the innings to the ropes, before going on to complete his half-century off 47 deliveries.

The 23-year-old De Villiers hit three successive boundaries off Andrew Symonds before failing to beat Clarke's direct hit at the striker's end from deep square-leg while returning for a second run.

He hit 14 boundaries and two well-timed sixes during his 70-ball knock which set the foundation, but once Smith returned to the pavilion with cramps the South African innings faltered.

Left-arm spinner Hogg accounted for Gibbs (17) before Glenn McGrath removed Ashwell Prince (1) to trigger a middle-order collapse.

Tait came into his own with the wickets of Mark Boucher (22) and Justin Kemp (1) to shake the Proteas, before Hogg dismissed the returning Smith and Kallis (4.

-ABC/AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200703/s1880792.htm