Woolmer Mourned. Cricket in Shock After Death of Coach

The cricket world was in shock last night after the death of the Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer, in Jamaica. The former Kent and England Test batsman was found unconscious in his room at the Pegasus Hotel in Sabina Park yesterday morning, a day after Pakistan's World Cup defeat by Ireland, and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but he did not recover.

The team's media manager, Pervez Mir, revealed that Woolmer suffered from a medical condition but said it was too early to say whether it played a part in his death. A team spokesman said: "We saw him last night but, having not seen him early today, two of our officers went to his room and with the help of hotel staff entered. He was found unconscious there. It is too early to say whether he has suffered a heart attack. We are awaiting medical reports."

Woolmer, who has also coached South Africa and Warwickshire, was contracted to Pakistan until the end of the World Cup. They were knocked out of the competition after the surprise defeat by Ireland on Saturday.

"I would like to sleep on my future as a coach," Woolmer said after the match. "It's what I do best, what I try to do best. Therefore I'm not going to throw away coaching just like that. However, internationally I will give it some thought. Travelling and being involved non-stop in hotels and so on takes its toll."

The former Test umpire Dickie Bird said he was "stunned and shocked" by the news. "Bob was a very close friend," he told Sky Sports. "He was a tremendous all-rounder for Kent and for England and magnificent cricket coach. He developed into the finest cricket coach in the world. He did so much for the game. I know for a fact that the Pakistan team thought the world of him."

His former England team-mate Dennis Amiss said: "I have lost a very close and dear friend. He was a fine and enthusiastic cricketer and a lovely man." The former Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam, who led the national team to their 1992 World Cup triumph, called Woolmer's death "the lowest point in Pakistan cricket".

England's team spokesman, Andrew Walpole, said: "Our thoughts are with Bob's family. This has come as a huge shock to all of the England team. He commanded great respect within world cricket and he will be sorely missed."