Bob Woolmer, the coach of the Pakistan cricket team, passed away yesterday in a Jamaican Hotel, after being found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room. The most incidental thing was the timing of this incident - It all happened a day after Pakistan's exit out of this World Cup !
How many of us know where this great man was born ?!! Well, he was born in Kanpur, India, and made his first-class debut for Kent in 1968 scoring an unbeaten 50. In August, 1972, he played his first one-day international against Australia, claiming 3 wickets for 33. He was a member of the 1975 England World Cup squad, but never got an opportunity for play for England in that tournament, since he broke his hand just before the tournament started. However, later in the same year, he made his test debut against Australia at Lord's. Just a year later, he was named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year !! In July, 1981, he played the last of his 19 tests against Australia, again at Lord's.
His claim to fame, however, started when he became coach of the South African Cricket Team in 1994. Till the end of the World Cup in 1999, South Africa won 21 tests out of 44, and were victorious in 10 test series out of 15. In the one-day version, South Africa became known as one of the strongest sides, winning 83 out of 111 matches.
In June 2004, he joined as the coach of Pakistan, and gave up his life for Cricket ! Coaching was something that he loved doing, and has he done a good job at that !! The World Cup 2007 would've been his dream, but that received a setback when Pakistan were thrown out of the tournament as they lost their first two matches.
Bob will always be remembered as one of the best coaches in world cricket, and as an innovator for the game. We'll miss you Bob !!
(Image Courtesy : www.hinduonnet.com)
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