Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer dies

If yesterday's news of Pakistan loss to Ireland (hence knocking them out of the World Cup) was a shock, today's news that Bob Woolmer has died leaves me floored. He was found unconscious in his hotel room with blood on him and vomit on the walls. He died later in the hospital.

This is a big tragedy for cricket, particularly for Pakistan cricket. It's hard to know what to make of the news. Was it self inflicted? Doubtful. Was it the work of a crazed fan? It's hard to believe someone would be that fanatical about sport although Monica Seles would disagree. I prefer to have some faith in human nature and think it more likely the unfortunate tragedy of his body succumbing to the pressures of international coaching. To think otherwise is a frightening prospect.

Posted by JC on Mon 19 Mar

12 comments

I am convinced it was the work of a nutcase. Woolmer was dejected but even smiled yesterday at the press conference. But after the death threats from mobs, who knows.....as you said if this speculation is indeed true, then cricket will lose all its innocence for me forever.

Posted by jethro on 2007-03-19 08:33:15

The news is defenitely very tragic and the timing very sensational. also as per reports by a few news channel, the chances that he was poisoned is also not ruled out.
Smart Alec

Posted by Swapnil on 2007-03-19 08:41:40

What a shocking tragedy. I hope it was of natural causes, but even so what a terrible way to die, alone in a hotel room. I guess we'll find out in a few days. Puts the game in perspective really.

Posted by MT on 2007-03-19 10:14:01

Its a bit scary to be a Cricket player or coach in the sub-continent. You are a hero one minute, and the mobs screaming for your death/arrrest and attacking your house the next.

It does make you wonder about the causes, I certainly hope it is just natural causes.

Posted by Andrew on 2007-03-19 11:38:06

Sad, sad indeed....

There was blood on his body and vomit on the walls. The autopsy results are yet to come in. Tomorrow's headlines may reveal something drastic. Let's hope not.

Cheers, yet
Mahesh

Posted by Mahesh on 2007-03-19 14:04:40

Let's all take a step back and reflect on what really should only be game. A magnificent one, but just a game.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1085696
In respect of Bob Woolmer, the Paki "fanatics" got their wish.
"Death to Woolmer, death to Inzamam". What a civilised bunch of people.

Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-03-19 23:50:00

It really is no wonder that Pakistan struggle to maintain constant from over any period of time. One just has to look at the amount of pressure thats put on them on a daily basis from their fanatical fans. They are too scared to fail but to stressed out to succeed. R.I.P Bob

Posted by Matt on 2007-03-20 12:56:29

I remember reading in Wasim Akram's book about how his home was rocked by angry fans because he missed a World Cup match due to injury. He didn't even play! Keith Miller had that famous quote "Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, playing cricket is not". Maybe it should be updated to "Pressure is playing for Pakistan or India, never knowing when your family might get stormed by enraged fans if you're dismissed cheaply".

Posted by JC on 2007-03-20 13:07:46

It gets worse - just read that Woolmer's death is being treated as suspicious. If he died of a heart attack i think they would have picked that up on post mortem surely? Yikes.

Posted by MT on 2007-03-21 14:29:36

Yea I heard it on the radio, it always did sound pretty dodgy as the vomiting and blood is a bit strange for a "heart attack". Also odd that if it wasn't a heart attack he didn't call for help (ie not sudden)..

In economics I once studied the effect a major sporting victory or loss can have on the local economy. (For example the America Cup) I get the feeling the effect would be far more dramatic in India and Pakistan.

I just don't understand how these riots can be considered "acceptable". Does anyone know what the Indian and Pakistan governments do to try to prevent this? I am curious do ex-cricketers call for these mobs to calm down?

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Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer dies

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