Woolmer Turns Peacemaker

Only one day into his role as Pakistan's coach and already Bob Woolmer has been forced to utter the traditional and unconvincing cry: "The Pakistan team is united."

The impression, as ever, is quite the opposite. Woolmer's first training session at the Qadhafi Stadium in Lahore had hardly begun when he had to intervene to quell a spat between two of his most high-profile players, Shoaib Akhtar and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Inzamam privately blames Shoaib's poor fitness record for his own humiliation as the Pakistan captain during their first home Test series defeat against their arch rivals India - a defeat that prompted the sacking of Javed Miandad and the surprise appointment of Woolmer in his place.

In return, Shoaib is adamant that his fitness problems have been real, even if liable to appear at a moment's notice, and that by questioning his commitment Inzamam has put a slur on his reputation.

Woolmer refused to discuss the incident, claiming "the Pakistan team is united and there are no differences between Shoaib and Inzamam" - his most unrealistic assessment since, as South Africa coach, he proclaimed that Hansie Cronje was a thoroughly trustworthy chap.

Haroon Rashid, Pakistan's team manager, took a more realistic stance. "It was some misunderstanding," he said, "but Woolmer and I got the matter settled."

Sorting this one out will be difficult. Shoaib's out-and-out fast-bowling style puts tremendous strain on his body, and an arduous social life hardly helps matters. He was also suspected of exaggerating a back injury in the series against India because of a row with Inzamam about his field.

Inzamam said: "Everyone has seen his attitude. Only those who want to play for Pakistan should be picked."

The captain certainly has a record for a hot temper; he once walked into a Toronto crowd in search of a spectator who called him a fat potato, and was involved in a brawl with Waqar Younis during a training session in Harare in the last World Cup.

Woolmer's invitation to Barry Richards, the former South Africa batsman, for a week's coaching at the national academy in Lahore before this month's Asia Cup was also not without incident.

Richards risked inflaming local sensibilities by stating: "I give Pakistan 10 out of 10 for talent but only six out of 10 for dedication and commitment."

John Read has informed the England and Wales Cricket Board that he intends to resign before the end of the season. The ECB's director of communications had been increasingly blamed for the board's confused handling of the Zimbabwe issue.