Murder they tried to write...

Bob Woolmer, former coach of the Pakistan cricket team, was found dead in his hotel room on March 18. Since then, there have been many twists and turns in the investigation by Jamaican police. Such varying reports from strangulation to snake venom in wine bottles to the implication of former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed.

Enter Scotland Yard. After detailed investigations, their conclusions were a lot less sensational. Bob Woolmer died of natural causes – heart failure and chronic ill health. Claims that had been rubbished by the Jamaican Police as unhelpful.

Spare a thought for the Woolmer family, being to-ed and fro-ed in multiple directions. But still the drama continued, with the lead pathologist claiming that he stood by his story.
Amidst all this was of course public speculation on divides within the Pakistan camp and claims of match fixing and fundamentalism.

It seems that the rollercoaster has come to an end. Although, Jamaican police are yet to officially comment, it is not widely being reported that they will have to make a retraction that Bob Woolmer did in fact die of natural causes. An unfortunate but rather mundane affair after all.

A full chronology is on Cricinfo
I guess that’s why there isn’t a CSI: Jamaica.

It's only a game

The cricket world cup is upon us. 16 nations take on each other in the idyllic paradise that is the West Indies to see who will be triumphant and crowned world champions come 28^th April 2007. It has been a week of dizzying highs and plummeting lows from shock wins by Bangladesh against India and Ireland knocking out former world champions Pakistan. But there won’t be any celebrations today… today, the whole cricketing world is in mourning. Bob Woolmer, Pakistani coach, has passed away after being found unconscious in his hotel room.

Yesterday, when Bangladesh and Ireland triumphed at the world cup, there would have been millions of Indians and Pakistanis in disbelief. But it’s only a game, India and Pakistan will play another day and World Cups will keep coming around. On a day like this, there is no carnival atmosphere or celebrations. A day like today puts everything in perspective. Win or lose, as the cliché goes, It’s only a game. For there are far more important things in life.

Today the entire cricketing world unites for a greater reason, a more important purpose – to pay their respects to Bob Woolmer, an ambassador of the game, a fantastic player, a tremendous coach but most importantly a friend and compatriot of the cricketing fraternity.