Police treat Woolmer's death as suspicious
Unfortunately, the post mortem into Bob Woolmer's death has proved inconclusive. Instead, police have started an investigation and are treating his death as suspicious. Blood was discovered on the bathroom floor, there was vomit on the walls and signs of diarrhoea. If it emerges that Woolmer was murdered, presumably poisoned by enraged fans seeking retribution for Pakistan being knocked out of the World Cup, the sport of cricket will be irrevocably changed.
I find this news quite depressing. Ideally, sport is a form of escapism where we shrug off the real world for a brief moment and revel in the contest (note - I stress "ideally"). If you want to get totally utopian, cricket should be an opportunity for fans from different countries to share their appreciation of the game and come to understand each other's cultures (I know, I'm a dreamer). The world is in a bad spot right now and it would be a grave shame if our great game of cricket was tainted with the hatred and anger that poisons the rest of the planet.
| Posted by JC on Wed 21 Mar |  8 comments |
JC, this mob can't even get on within the 11-man team so my money has been on murder from day1. even during their more recent halcyon days Waqar Younis didn't even speak with Khan did he? If they lose a match it's always 'death to the captain' or 'death to the manager' or whoever. Nothing to do with the staggeringly lack-lustre performance of the players naturally. Been going on for years amongst the minority. Same people who burn effigies and flags when the tv cameras point at them. Difference is that this time one of the big mouths actually thought he'd act it out! For decades and decades Pakistanis have fought between each other and pledged war against their brothers in India so a mere sport like cricket will never make sense to them - playing for the game is surely beyond the hardcore Pakistan supporters' fathoming. And it's not a monopoly of Pakistan either - Indias hardcore fans are just as silly when it comes to cricket, take Gavaskar's recent aberation...
We Aussies feel sick in the gut when our team loses but the sad fact is that in other places cricket just ain't the 2-horse race it was intended to be. This one is murder all the way just like Cronje's - but his was self inflicted.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-03-21 21:25:11
We Aussies feel sick in the gut when our team loses but the sad fact is that in other places cricket just ain't the 2-horse race it was intended to be. This one is murder all the way just like Cronje's - but his was self inflicted.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-03-21 21:25:11
I heard on the SBS news that there are rumours of a gambling syndicate being involved. I wouldn't want to be a Pakistani player right now...
Of course there's still a possibility it could be accidental from a combination of booze/medication.
Posted by MT on 2007-03-21 21:57:47
Of course there's still a possibility it could be accidental from a combination of booze/medication.
Posted by MT on 2007-03-21 21:57:47
Reason I fear for world cricket; the almighty dollar is shifting the power of influence to the sub-continent.
With a weak, servile ICC headed by Uriah Speed, and with the crazies and heavy gamblers in abundance, "our game" could be facing ruin.
Regardless of the true cause of Bob Woolmer's demise.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-03-21 23:44:18
With a weak, servile ICC headed by Uriah Speed, and with the crazies and heavy gamblers in abundance, "our game" could be facing ruin.
Regardless of the true cause of Bob Woolmer's demise.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-03-21 23:44:18
I reckon you need to call a spade a spade but if murder is proven I would suggest at the same time we don't hold Pakistan cricket fans to blame for the actions of a few nutters or underworld figures. It is only too easy to replicate those things we might despise in other people. If I was a little Pakistani kid watching Australia I would think every Aussie cricket fan got smashed out of his mind, yelled racial abuse at men of colour, got arrested, and had sex with everything in sight. That doesn't describe all of us (although it does seem to reflect some of the actions of Punter, Lehmann, Warnie, and co over the years).
Posted by TA on 2007-03-22 00:13:07
Posted by TA on 2007-03-22 00:13:07
Too much speculation at this stage is both disrespectful to Bob Woolmer and does dis-credit to those mouthing it such as poster virtualgaz here.
There may well turn out to be foul play and it looks increasingly likely. But dont go mouthing opinions about who is responsible until we know.
If you want to know the views of real Pakistani cricket fans on this, then search them out.
Posted by Mark @ Cricforum on 2007-03-22 15:34:19
There may well turn out to be foul play and it looks increasingly likely. But dont go mouthing opinions about who is responsible until we know.
If you want to know the views of real Pakistani cricket fans on this, then search them out.
Posted by Mark @ Cricforum on 2007-03-22 15:34:19
I wonder at the intentions of the police. By calling a press conference to announce that the death was suspicious they must have know it would fuel speculation. Why not just keep quiet until they had the lab results? It's a mystery. I can only think they were trying to warn someone?
I notice they were trying to hose down some speculation by saying there was no evidence for murder today.
Posted by MT on 2007-03-22 23:38:45
I notice they were trying to hose down some speculation by saying there was no evidence for murder today.
Posted by MT on 2007-03-22 23:38:45
All this has let down cricket as a sport. I feel really sorry for Bob's family and hope god gives them strength. As for the reports the speculation of strangling marks has really revealed some sinister motives. Hope they are punished.
My Cricket Blog
Posted by Smart Alec on 2007-03-23 02:34:43
My Cricket Blog
Posted by Smart Alec on 2007-03-23 02:34:43
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