World Cup Cricket=strangled coach?

Okay, for those who have been following the World Cup Cricket 2007 know that the Pakistani Coach, Bob Woolmer, was found unconscious at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. It of course is a tragedy that has left a shadow on the island.

The pathologist's report states that Mr Woolmer's death was due to asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "We face shock and outrage and great sadness for Bob's family. There has been speculation that as a result of all this, the World Cup will be discontinued. That will not be the case.

"Perhaps it will be a measure of the game and its resolve as to how we can complete this World Cup in view of this shock."

He said the former London Metropolitan Police commissioner Paul Condon was standing by and willing to assist with the murder inquiry. Condon has been involved with helping the ICC fight corruption within the sport.

Shields added that the Metropolitan Police, South African and Pakistan forces had been contacted over the investigation but so far the Jamaican police were working solely on the case.

The Pakistan cricket team, who flew from Kingston to Montego Bay on Jamaica earlier on Thursday, said they were shocked by the latest development.

The police are questioning everyone in the hotel in the case. Even West Indian captain Brian Lara and official Clive Lloyd have given their statements," Ashraf said.
the Pakistan team took 90 minutes to digest the pain of their three-wicket loss to outsiders Ireland at Sabina Park before assembling on the team bus for a sombre ride back through the dark and seedy streets of Kingston to their hotel.

It is believed an argument took place between Woolmer and some team members on the bus, but it had faded out as they reached the foyer and went to their rooms.

Woolmer stayed in his room - No375 on the 12th floor, just across the hall from West Indies captain Brian Lara - for the night. As he often did, the coach rang room service for his dinner, dealing with his side's loss by sending emails, including one to his wife, Gill, in Cape Town.

In the last email, sent on a laptop now in the possession of Jamaican police, Woolmer said the loss - as devastating as it was - did not cut as deeply as the defeat of South Africa in the 1999 World Cup in England.

It is indeed a great blemish on a wonderful sport. For Jamaicans it is moreso a tragedy due to the fact that such pride was given in hosting the event this year. It gave many the opportunity to see the wonderful beauty of the island. The spectators have been fantastic and crime minimized.

for more information surrounding this tragedy see: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21435740-601,00.html