Cricket: Pakistan coach Woolmer passes away

The cricketing fraternity was plunged in grief and a pall of gloom hung over the World Cup following the sudden death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer on Sunday.

Woolmer was rushed to the Kingston University Hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel room in the morning, and was declared dead by the doctors at 1214 local time (2244 hrs IST) yesterday.

The former England Test batsman was 58 and survived by wife Gill and two sons.

The Jamaican Constabulary Force said in a release that a team of police and medical personnel was conducting preliminary investigations at both the hotel and the hospital.

"The cause of death has not yet been established but will be determined after a post mortem examination is conducted. This postmortem will be done at the earliest possible time," the JCF statement read.

But Nasim Ashraf, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, said that Woolmer had told him he was not only a diabetic but also suffered from a rare condition where he had to wear a mask during sleep as he was prone to stop breathing during his slumber.

Coming as it did close on the heels of Pakistan's early elimination from the tournament following the stunning loss to Ireland only on Saturday, the stress of being an international coach could have been a factor too.