Bob Woolmer, the new coach of Pakistan cricket team, intends to put the national squad back on track
ONE thing is for sure, Bob Woolmer would never want to be just the next coach. Acknowledged as “super coach” for his innovations in using technology, Woolmer, a former England batsman who successfully transformed South Africa as one of the top three teams, must have pondered well before taking the most mercurial team under his tutelage.
Ever since Pakistan’s loss to India, Javed Miandad’s position as coach was under threat. And the diplomatic Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan beguiled all and sundry when he announced Miandad’s contract was terminated and Woolmer has been convinced to take charge. What hurt Miandad, and rightly so, was the fact that the PCB on one hand had announced Miandad will continue even after Pakistan’s first ever defeat to India on home soil. And on the other hand had been negotiating the nitty gritty of the deal with Woolmer.
There is no doubt that the 56-year-old Woolmer has a bright and far sighted approach to the game. He also has an unmatched sense of humour. But will the notorious approach of Pakistan cricket bosses of chopping and sacking coaches and captains allow Woolmer to settle down and complete his tenure until the 2007 World Cup?
Pakistan Cricket Board expects Woolmer to make much better use of technology, bring professionalism and discipline in the Pakistan team. And Woolmer set about his task and vowed to move Pakistan cricket forward. Here are excerpts of his first press conference:
Q: What prompted you to take Pakistan coaching after you turned down offers from the West Indies and Sri Lanka last year?
A: The PCB sat down with me some time ago and were keen to get my ideas on what a coach should do and I gave them my views and a small presentation. The current Pakistan cricket officials are determined to move their cricket forward so I joined the bus as they are willing to give me all out support, technical or otherwise. Over a period of two-to-three months we came to a conclusion. I was impressed by their desire. At 56, these opportunities don’t come along too often in life and I decided I’d like to take this one.
Moreover, I needed to coach in a different society and that was the one area which was missing.
Q: You said in an interview that you would like to take advice and support from former coach Javed Miandad. Was it a diplomatic statement or you really want that support?
A: I seek support of the current players, former players and fans to move Pakistan cricket forward. I am not afraid of bringing anyone on board who can help Pakistan team. I would like to have all the former Pakistani cricketers. I would like Miandad to be on board because Javed Miandad has a lot to do with this team, he has respect and his advice would be helpful. That is part of my coaching and I am not scared of anyone on board to help the team.
Q: You think you are a better coach than Miandad and where he failed you would succeed?
A: I wasn’t as good a cricketer as Javed Miandad but certainly as a cricket coach I would like to back myself. As a coaching angle I have a very good pedigree.
Q: Pakistan has been notorious for sacking their coaches and captains, so do you have think its THE challenge of your life?
A: I can control what I can control, I am going to do my job as the best of my abilities and have no fears of the past. The past is history and hopefully I am going to put a positive effect on Pakistan cricket. I don’t know about THE challenge of my life but its the nicest challenge of my life which I have accepted. I am excited about coaching Pakistan who are the sleeping giants of cricket and I want to be the prince. I am here as the conduit to pass as much knowledge as I can and its the players who have to make up their mind what is good for them. Your mind is like a parachute. If it doesn’t open, it doesn’t work.
Q: Pakistan’s first foreign coach Richard Pybus had communication problems. Have you bought your Urdu manual or would you take assistance from the back up staff?
A: “Communication has always been the key word. I think cricket is a universal language and certainly if there is a communication problem I have captain Inzamam-ul Haq and manager Haroon Rasheed who can get the message across. I don’t see it as a problem.
Q: Former Pakistan coaches Javed Miandad and Pybus had complained that Pakistani players are not willing to learn. Would that be a discouraging factor?
A: I don’t know why they say the Pakistani players are not willing to learn because what I have found through a questioner on the first day is they are willing to learn. Through that questioner I have found that players’ weakness areas are fitness and fielding. We would work on those areas. It’s a young side with lack of experience and you can’t buy experience on the shelve of a super store, you have to play to gain experience.
Q: So what would be the target; what time would you need to transform this team into world beaters?
A: I think I will have a positive effect in the next six months, I hope it comes about before that. Pakistan is right up there because they did recently beat South Africa. But the main team to beat is Australia.
Australians are at the top of the tree, with the way they play the game. And before Pakistan climb to the top of the tree we have got to match them, so that’s the benchmark.
Q: Your first assignment is the Asia Cup, but you had very little time to prepare the team. How do you rate Pakistan’s chances?
A: It has always been rush in cricket so there are no excuses and we have to make the most of whatever time available. There will be no excuses and we will have to do our best in the coming event.
Q: You coached a very disciplined South Africa side. What difference would it be coaching Pakistan?
A: I am going to find that out, but I think it won’t be different. The only difference would be the style of play.
Q: What powers do you have as a coach? Would you be involved in the selection of the team?
A: I am a firm believer in supporting others and would want to discuss the selection with the captain and the chief selector. We must settle down to a climate where we don’t miss any good players and since the captain has to fight it out in the middle he must have the last say in the final eleven.
Bob Woolmer, the new coach of Pakistan cricket team, intends to put the national squad back on track 
