VARIOUS: CRICKET- Tributes are paid to Pakistan cricket coach Woolmer who died after World Cup defeat to Ireland

The cricket world is mourning the unexpected death of British-born Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer after he was discovered unconscious in his hotel room the day after his team's defeat at the hands of Ireland. Tributes were led by the head of the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council's chief executive, Malcolm Speed and fellow coaches and players in the Caribbean. Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer died aged 58 on Sunday (March 18) after being found unconscious in his hotel room the morning after his side's shock World Cup exit. Leading cricketing figures expressed their shock after his death. English Captain Michael Vaughan said that Woolmer would be missed. "There's been a sad loss to the world of cricket with Bob Woolmer today. We know how much he's impacted on the world game, on the English game, and we know how greatly missed," he explained. Australian coach John Buchanan praised Woolmer's contribution to the game. "He has been a person who has certainly been outspoken on key issues, absolutely well regarded by everybody and from the coaching perspective I think he left a huge legacy that we all could follow. So as I have said I think all of us involved in cricket it's a very, very sad day and I'm very shocked to hear the news," he said. Australian captain Ricky Pointing added: "I just back-up everything John says, you know for me personally as a player and captain of this team we just pass on all our condolences to the Woolmer family and everybody he has come in touch with over the years." The 58-year-old former test batsman was one of the most respected figures in the world game and it had been suggested he could take over as England coach once his contract expired with Pakistan in June. Woolmer's Pakistan team crashed out of the World Cup less than 24 hours before his death by losing to debutantes Ireland at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. The head of the sport's governing body, International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed. also paid tribute to Woolmer's legacy. Woolmer worked for the ICC as a coach to the minor nations, including Ireland, between 2001 and 2004.

ITN Source | March 19, 2007

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