World Cup tribute for Woolmer
Kingston - What a difference two days make.
On Saturday morning Sabina Park offered an incredible concoction of noise and colour thanks to the Ireland fans.
Before play began today, there was a mood of sombre reflection following the death of Bob Woolmer. Everyone here is talking about it and the authorities have paid tribute to the former England batsman and Pakistan coach in a series of ways.
Both here and at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad, where Bermuda are taking on India, flags are flying at half-mast and the teams are wearing black armbands.
In both games the teams and match officials lined up in a ‘U’ shape before the start of play while a tribute to Woolmer was read out over the public address system.
A picture of the ex-Kent player, who also coached South Africa, was displayed on the big screen and a minute’s silence immaculately observed.
The rest of the Zimbabwe batsmen returned to the pavilion and the game began. The tournament moves on, as cricket lover Bob would have wanted.
But it's still difficult to believe what has happened.
I remember Bob Woolmer scoring a, then, world record slow test centiry against the Australians to save the test after England followed on. That was in the days when Kent had 6 England players - Denness, Knott, Woolmer, Underwood, Luckhurst and Cowdrey.
Complain about this posti am a pakistani fan i think what woolmer rip has done for our cricket is magnificent. He was a great guy and a geat coach. Cricket wont be the same without him.
Complain about this postFather disappointed at his son's loss and couldn't take the pain.
Woolmer fathered his team. Do you really understand what this speaks for this man?
He is an honest professional and gives his 100% to his job and loves the team he coaches.
PAK team should be ashamed of themselves.
INZI shouldn't have retired he should still play ODI, win or at least give his 100% for all the future matches and pay tribute to Woolmer by all the wins.
PAK should win the next WC for none other but Woolmer.
This incident also reminds us once again that nothing is more precious in life than life itself. A 22-year-old spinner from Bangladesh also passed away recently.
Cricket is religion is many parts of the world but we should not worship it at the price of our life.
Indians are burning its team player's posters because of the defeat against Bangladesh. Why? All nations should realise that your team gives 100% and as long they do that defeat should not be taken to that extent.
Fans please don't scare your players! If they are not giving their 100% then drop them from the team but don't destroy their home. Don't throw stones at them.
Giants please try to be happy if minnows create upset and be happy for them. Win/loss is a part of the game. One team has to loose for the other to win.
What matters is the effort you put in.
At the end of the day we should realise that Cricket is a sport.
Complain about this postWasn't it just less than 6 months ago where this man was being criticised for taking his Pakistan team off the field at a test in England?
I fell sorry for his family at his sudden departure but I wish that media would appreciate these fellas when they are alive and not seem so 2 faced when they pass away..
Complain about this postA GREAT LOSS TO THE WORLD OF CRICKET, GAME OF CRICKET AND CAUSE WORLD CUP 08 !!!! BUT WHAT A WAY TO LEAVE BEHIND THE WORLD OF CRICKET !!!!
Complain about this postBob, we will miss you greatly here in Pakistan. You were one of the finest coaches the cricket world has come across.
Pray God protects you in transition to the next phase of your life where eventually everyone has to go.
My deepest condolences to your family, friends and loved ones.
With Best Regards
Salman Maniya
Complain about this postWe have lost a great man aswel as a sportsman.always understanding and very knowledgable,cricket shall be very much weaker without him.but we must go on.i have been following my country pakistan for years now,and i know for a fact he changed pakistani cricket for the good,always putting in 100% - a trememndous achievement.notable accolades include the series in india 2005.god bless you bob.thanks for memories,they wil always be very dear to me.x
Complain about this postBOB WOOLMER U ARE A LEGEND WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU, TOP GUY,TOP COACH TOP MAN, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE WE HAVE LOST A TRUE LEGEND
Complain about this postI think that he was an absolute credit to the game. I am now 29 and i remeber that when I was 17 I was at school when Bob was in charge of South Africa when Atherton saved a test match with a tremendous 179 n.o. He was a fantastic manager and the loss will not be felt in the game for many years to come because people like when "Mozart" was around will not fully appreciate it until there is time for pause and reflection.
I hope a large memorial goes up at Kent CCClub.
Complain about this postI am deeply saddened to hear Bob Woolmer's untimely death. my condolences to the bereaved family.
May his soul rest in peace.
Nagaraja Rao, Toronto, Canada
Complain about this postI am very sad on Mr.Woolmer death.
I did a lot for Pakistani team.
Ali Z
Complain about this postGujranwala
Pakistan
I was lucky enough to be trained - even for a little while - by Bob Woolmer. Even at age 10, we knew who he was and what he stood for. Expertise is a big thing to lose. Losing this expert is an even bigger loss.
Complain about this postA fantastic character, with great techincal cricket mind, a good human being, ability to face criticism, you were fabulas Bob. As a Pakistani fan I will really miss u.The whole pakistani nation is very sad on this occasion and we would like to make our deepest condolences with Bob Woolmer's family, May God give his family s strenght to bear this moment. God bless him
Complain about this postGreat man with great ideas for winning the games. He was the best standing man in the tranning fields.
May his departed soul rest in peace in Paradise.
Complain about this postbob
remember you from the days in SA just after our readmitance. You made us a great team, and will alwaye be remembered fondly.With you at the helm we could take on the assies and be confident of winning RIP
mike
Complain about this postI love Bob.He was a great man.I always salute him.
Complain about this postwoolmer your are a legend and a cricket legend
RIP
Complain about this postI was absolutely shocked & shattered on hearing the beath of Bob.
Complain about this postIt is a great tragedy to not only pakistanis but also every cricket fan. Woomer eat, drank and slept cricket all his life. Its dissappointing that the Pakistani team wasn't the one he should have been a part of because it seems that his committment was fruitless in a country known for absurd showdowns on cricket fields. Surely, the loss against Ireland was nothing less than pathetic, but Woolmers death has stolen the show basically for the entire world cup. My deepest condolences goes to his family, his friends, and the pakistani team.
Complain about this postBeside a great cricket mind, he was a super human being.
Bobs dedication and love for the game of Cricket was exemplary. He was a great ambassador of the game. His coaching legacy has left the cricket world with very high standards of commitment to the game for others to follow. He would be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace and his family patience to bear their huge loss.
Complain about this posta good man gone but not forgotton
Complain about this postBob Woolmer the legend, its a tragic loss to Pakistan and to cricket itself. He put Pakistan back onto the map, he was a great man, i met him last year @ the Rose Bowls and he was a very humble man, with a smile on his face all the time. Sadly missed by all Pakistani fans. R.I.P Bob, The Legend.
Complain about this posthe was a great man who guided pakistani team in a very positve way but
Complain about this postteam collapsed many times but in this time in world cup
wen team was thrown out side of the world cup woolmer stoped breathing and went out
of this world
now he is not amoung us but
we gona miss that man and
specially me i ll mis him whole life
thanks
bye
i am not a great cricket fan , but came to know the tragedy that happened in the world cup!
came across woolmer , the tribute and honor payed to him, but whats the use?
if we cant convey this this honor to him when he was alive .. there is no point doing it now when he is no more to hear it ! people think about it , give what others deserve
it was even worse to see the clipping in which his own team member (pak bowler aktar) slapping him..woolmer should be happy to be away from this world of Abhorrence
Complain about this postIf you ever see a interview or press conference where Bob Woolmer was speaking, you will find that he always maintained a very dignified manner. Gracious and extremely well-spoken. He was one of the last englishmen upon whom England can be proud to have had as an ambassador.
Complain about this postBeing a Pakistani, I am extremely saddened by the loss of Bob Woolmer, the best coach Pakistan has ever had and probably ever will! I really doubt our team will be able to concentrate on the upcoming game, this indisciplined lot learned to love their coach but didnt play hard enough for him! Maybe from now they will, in his honour!
Complain about this postIm even sadder to see the racist drivel from some of the english supporters (and I use that term loosely, more like yobs) is despcable and disgusting! This is a tribute to Bob Woolmer, not a forum to spout off your racist and ignorant views!
Thank you to the organizers of the World Cup and all involved in this touching tribute to Bob Woolmer.
Complain about this postThe early exit of the Pakistan team from the contest is one of those things that happens, but the loss of the coach is still incomprehensible. We loved him because he was our true and loyal friend.
Again, thank you so much for honouring Bob!
I want to cry on the death of our super and nice coach bob woolmer, i feel like i have lost my very close ralative
Complain about this postThe biggest tragedy that has fell upon to world cricket . he is one of the greatest coaches that world has ever seen. we all are very much deeply sad about his demise . Let his soul rest in peace. And condolences to bereaved family members
Complain about this postJust a sad moment in the cricket history ,,he was just a booming personality i had some special attention frm him just a month ago, when met me in Islamabad, in fitness gym,, he was a lashing personality, but the only prob appears to b the only Pakistan,,,,,,my home country but so sad ,,,,that he had some shame till death,,,,,,,but our National heroes have no idea about their defeat ,,,they will just make some shy and shame,,,,on them but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,after allllllllllllllllllllll,,,,,,,??????????? Would that may any Hittler come,,,,,,,and shooot them all,
Complain about this postZahid rana Islamabad,, 0300-5591277
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Woolmer and send my condolences to his family and friends.
What Woolmer did for South Africa was build on a good re-entry to world cricket for our national team and in the space of five years ('94-'99) made us into arguably the second best side in the world, thanks to his coaching acumen and the nuturing of outstanding talents like Donald, Pollock, Cronje, Kallis, Kirsten, Boucher and others.
Bob knew how to man-manage with a sense of dignity, he never had a bitter word in any media/press conference or interview and it was a sad that our team fell so agonisingly short of rewarding him for his efforts with the World Cup in 1999.
As a journalist has already observed, he is probably the finest international coach England has produced and a real gentleman he was, in every sense of the word. His methods were scientific and without fuss, but he still knew how to commuincate and get the best out of his players.
Any self-respecting S African cricket fan would acknowledge that Woolmer was the best we've ever had.
Goodbye Bob -RIP.
Greg Sherman
Complain about this postWoolmer was indeed a wonderful man and he brought a winning spirit in the team despite the recent blows. His moving personality and dynamic coaching took Pakistan to top ranks in ODI and Test. His death is indeed an irreparable loos.
Complain about this postvery sad and tragic the woolmer passing on. i know this comment means nothing now: cpuld woolmer not call for help when he started feeling bad.
Complain about this postBOB WOOLMER WAS A GOOD CRICKETER GREAT COACH AND ABOVE ALL AN EXCELLENT HUMAN BEING.HE WILL BE MISSED BY NOT ONLY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT BY ENTIRE CRICKETING FRATERNITY.A THROUGH PROFESSIONAL.HE MUST BE APPRECIATED FOR THE WAY HE CONDUCTED HIMSELF BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD.A GREAT READER OF THE GAME AND AN INNOVATOR .
Complain about this posti am realy shocekd to hear this bad news. i being a cricket lover and also a Paki as well, very much disturb to lost a great man (Bob). He has given every thing for our team whatever he can. He is one of the best coach of Pakistan cricekt history, who has changed our cricket and that is what our youngsters has also agreed and accept that they had seen change in Bob's time.
Complain about this postI just pray that may god bless and res his soul
My heart goes out to Bob Woolmer's family & friends. I lost my partner Dave in December very unexpectedly. He was only 53 and had been recovering well from a fairly routine op and was due home the next day (I was actually in bed listening to TMS Ashes commentary when I was phoned by the hospital in the early hours). So, I can completely understand what his wife must be feeling. The pain of such a loss ins unimagineable and imposible to describe.
I met Bob at Chelmsford in 1999 when he was there with the South African team, he was very approachable and it was obvious what a passion he had for the game and how he passed this on to the players.
I know that all the South African players who were on that tour will be affected as much as the Pakistan players and my best wishes go to all of them as well.
Complain about this postour deepest condolences to the family of bob woolmer -one of the most outstanding coaches in cricket history.
Complain about this postbob your life and all you lived for was outstanding and we will never forget you.