Woolmer stood up for cricket, says Dravid

Paying rich tributes to late cricket coach Bob Woolmer on his first death anniversary today, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid...

Paying rich tributes to late cricket coach Bob Woolmer on his first death anniversary today, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid described him as a man who stood up for the game’s welfare.

“Woolmer was a man who stood up for cricket. He will always be fondly remembered by cricketers and those who love the game all over the world. However, it is sad the way it ended,” said the Bangalore IPL team Royal Challengers’ icon.

On this day last year, Woolmer died in mysterious circumstances in a hotel room in Jamaica, just a few hours after the Pakistan’s team’s unexpected elimination at the hands of Ireland in the World Cup.

Bob an inspiration

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Former international leg-spinner, and bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed said Woolmer was an inspiration for all those he coached. “Bob was successful at county level, where he coached Warwickshire, then lifted South Africa and was hoping to build Pakistan into a great team before he met a cruel fate,” said Mushtaq.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have dedicated their indoor cricket school to their late coach, which was inaugurated by both the Pakistan and South African teams. “Bob will be remembered in Pakistan cricket and hopefully his legacy will continue. His memory is still fresh because his contribution to Pakistan cricket was immense,” said PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf.