Bob Woolmer

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Bob Woolmer Biography

If cricket coaching has transformed from art form to science, a large part of the credit goes to Bob Woolmer. In keeping pace with time, the sport’s foremost philosopher redefined coaching from a verbal field job to an analytical indoor exercise. He catapulted cricket into the Information Age with his ubiquitous laptop, that’s now a vital instrument for cricketing coaches around the world.

Woolmer was a truly global citizen; he was born in India, grew up and represented England, settled down in South Africa and made it a force to be reckoned with again in international cricket and then moved on to coach Pakistan in whose colours, he tragically, untimely and mysteriously, died in a hotel room in faraway Jamaica in 2007.

As an England player, he did not have an outstanding career, but ensured that he was counted where it most mattered — in the Ashes, where he ran up scores of 149 (against Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker and Ashley Mallett) in his second Test. Two years later, he had successive scored of 79, 120 and 137 against the same paceman. Woolmer may have ended up playing more than 19 Tests had he not shifted his allegiance to Packer’s WSC and later the rebel tour to South Africa.

Woolmer was a visionary who saw technology as an opportunity to create a paradigm shift in thinking. His pioneering thought process and revolutionary methods have left a rich legacy. Not all of his methods got a positive response. He fitted Hansie Cronje with an ear-piece during the 1999 World Cup match against India to communicate with the South Africa captain when his team was fielding. The innovative decision was seen as a breach of rules and spirit, and Cronje and Woolmer came in for criticism.

Woolmer was a people’s person and a player’s coach. His body language made him approachable and his friendly nature and helping attitude made him a very likeable person.

H Natarajan

Bob Woolmer Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

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ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Bob Woolmer Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
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News ON Bob Woolmer

Raffatullah Mohmand: Faith and my patience is an example for future generations

Mohmand failed to impress then coach Bob Woolmer who felt he needed more time in domestic cricket finally made his international debut at 39.

Younis Khan wants Pakistan to beat Ireland as tribute to Bob Woolmer

Pakistan had lost to Ireland in the ICC World Cup 2007 before the shock death of Bob Woolmer.

Pakistan remembers Bob Woolmer ahead of clash against Ireland in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Bob Woolmer after the stunning loss said he wanted to sleep on his future as coach.

Grant Flower in contention to become Pakistan’s batting coach

Grant Flower is almost being finalised by the PCB for the role.

Pakistan yet to decide on new coach, says PCB chief Najam Sethi

Decision has been delayed due to Islamabad High Court pending verdict.

Inzamam-ul-Haq says Dav Whatmore has failed to deliver as Pakistan coach

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has criticised the national team's Australian coach Dav Whatmore, saying that he has failed to ...

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Features ON Bob Woolmer

Champions Trophy 1998: South Africa win a knockout contest, Bangladesh conquer cricket

Bob Woolmer and Hansie Cronje showed here a well-oiled machine can perform even without a few cogs. South Africa’s triumph was proof ...

Trivia on runners, an extinct species of cricket

There have three instances in Test cricket history where the middle has been populated by four men in batting gear.

Bob Woolmer: Much more than a mysterious death

It is unfortunate that Bob Woolmer is remembered for his mysterious death. A fine all-rounder for Kent, he revolutionised cricket ...

ICC World Cup 2007: Bob Woolmer found dead in his hotel room; possibly murdered

A day after Pakistan had crashed out of the 2007 World Cup with a humiliating loss to Ireland, coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his ...

ICC should stop coaches interacting with on-field players; time to legalise electronic communication between captain and coach

During the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, we have seen Bangladesh bowling coach Heath Streak advising his bowlers from just ...

Spot-fixing and Woolmer’s death: How numbers can help detect anomalies

With the kind of technology available, and astute use of mathematical models, many anomalies in the field of play can be readily ...

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