P.J. Mir, Pakistan’s media manager, told a Pakistani television channel from the West Indies: “Bob Woolmer has passed away. I am just speaking from the hospital and all the team management is also at the hospital.
“Doctors have pronounced Bob Woolmer dead. Bob Woolmer 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 team management about Bob’s condition when he was brought to hospital.”
Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday after a shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland. Sky Sports had earlier reported that Woolmer was found at 10:45 local time on the floor of his hotel room unconscious and with signs of vomiting. An ambulance took him to the Kingston University Hospital.
Pakistan team manager Talat Ali, their South African-based trainer Murray Stevenson and assistant manager Asad Mustafa went with Woolmer to the hospital where he was given medical attention.
TOUGH CHALLENGE: Woolmer had gone to the Caribbean hoping to be third time lucky after twice agonisingly missing out on World Cup glory.
He was South Africa’s coach in the 1996 World Cup in the subcontinent when a quarter-final defeat at the hands of the West Indies shattered his dreams. Three years later in England, his talented South African side were in tears after they tied their epic semi-final against eventual champions Australia and bowed out on inferior net run-rate.
Woolmer never forgot those setbacks but he appreciated that the challenge of coaching Pakistan, one of the most volatile teams in world cricket, was taking its toll.
After his side crashed out of the World Cup on Saturday in Kingston against minnows Ireland, Woolmer hinted at the strain. “Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you — the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels.”
But he was driven by a desire to land the ultimate prize in the game. “It is always disappointing as a team not to achieve the ultimate goal, but it was not for the lack of trying. Cricket is a game where anything can happen and nothing should ever be taken as granted,” said Woolmer.
A two-year stint as International Cricket Council’s High Performance Manager allowed Woolmer to work with fledgling cricketing nations, like Kenya, Namibia and the Netherlands during the 2003 World Cup.
Fate brought him to Pakistan in 2004 as coach, regarded the country’s hottest post which had seen five changes since 1999 until his arrival. He forged a strong relationship with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and saw to it that the skilful cricketers always remained strong in basics.
Born in the Indian city of Kanpur in 1948, Woolmer played 19 Tests for England in 1970s but missed the inaugural World Cup in 1975 due to injury. Woolmer’s career ended prematurely as he first joined Kerry Packer World Series Cricket and then went on rebel tours to South Africa in 1980s.—AFP