When (if) Bob goes...

[Wanderer]

Bob Woolmer said yesterday that although he is currently only focussed on Pakistan's success at the CWC, he is "keeping all doors open.."

Bob is one of the frontrunners for the England coaching position. He says he'd be a fool if he does not consider the job offer again (he was offered the English coaching position 8 years ago).

Even Allan Donald has thrown his weight behind Bob as English coach, saying he can't think of a more experienced coach to take up the job.

Okay,that is all good and well for England then. But who are the front-runners to REPLACE him as Pakistan coach? (if he decides to leave, that is)

[Maranello]

Knowing how Pakistan cricket works, there are probably three dozen front runners right now, all the way from Miandad (again!) to Mushy and through the likes of Latif, Aqib and Mudassar. I don't think anyone knows who will replace Woolmer if and when he goes - I don't think PCB even know if he will go or not. And even if they are thinking of possible successors, all that is bound to change completely and drastically in the next 30 seconds! 3 or 6 months is a lifetime in Pakistani cricket, generally, they plan an hour at a time.

[Rachael]

Woolmer has worked a small miracle in a short space of time... but doesn't seem to me to have got anywhere near finishing the job he's started: if he DOES see things through (say with a further 4 years in the job) then I guess an internal successor will have been groomed... but if he goes now I'd hope to see someone as experienced and proven as Woolmer take the helm.

Moody appears to have his choice of jobs: Sri Lanka will not want to lose him... Australia and England look favourite... and I can't see the PCB plucking him from under the noses of all the others (not least because the PCB has perhaps got a little way to go to convince the watching world that it's got its act together).

Buchanan and Wright ought to be in the frame... and you'd think Fletcher would be a good appointment... but perhaps not whilst Inzi remains captain: I could see Fletcher working well with Younis Khan as captain when Inzi retires.. but perhaps not in the interim.

[Zainub]

Fletcher!!!!! I can't stand the man, does he ever smile? Given how much Younis Khan smiles, I don't think they'd get along at all! And he'll probably drop both Danish Kaneria and Abdul Rehman because they can't bat! No way, England can keep Fletcher. Thanks but no thanks.

In any case, we don't need a replacement! If my prayers are answered, we'll win the World Cup and we'll offer Bobby such lucrative five year contract he'll gladly accept without thinking twice!

He's not going anywhere...oh God, please, not so soon, don't say it, I like to think that if I live in denial, he might just stay.

And did some one use the M-word in the same sentence with the phrase 'prospective coach'...oh no...no, no...please no.

Maranello, this is not fair, I'm sacred enough as it of what will happen if God forbid Woolmer leaves prematurely (after the World Cup would be at least two years too soon) and you're saying Miandad could come back? I could faint you know. Don't scare me so much. I still want to see more Pakistan Cricket you know.

[greg]

If i was in charge of the England set up i would already be contacting Woolmer and telling him the job is his after the World Cup if he wants it.

By what has been said i think something has already been discussed as Woolmer wouldn't have mentioned it unless he knew it might be up for grabs.

Come home Bob.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by greg

If i was in charge of the England set up i would already be contacting Woolmer and telling him the job is his after the World Cup if he wants it.

Ahead of Moody? Australia may well make Moody a sensational offer just to ensure England don't get him... but I get the impression the ECB would be even keener than Australia on securing his services.

I've nothing against Woolmer... but there's also Wright and Buchanan to consider, and who knows: Marsh might be tempted back once Fletcher is out of the picture.

[pie_chucker]

Why all the fuss about Woolmer? I prey that we dont get him! Look at what he did with a very strong SA side (nothing). They were so negative it was unreal, ask any Aussie test player and they would say the same.

If we are to replace Fletcher it has to be with someone better not worse.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Why all the fuss about Woolmer? I prey that we dont get him! Look at what he did with a very strong SA side (nothing). They were so negative it was unreal, ask any Aussie test player and they would say the same.

If we are to replace Fletcher it has to be with someone better not worse.

Pie Chucker, I think we are talking about 2 different guys here...

It was Bob who TRANSFORMED the Protea side into the WORLD's BEST ODI side (Yes, back then the Proteas were better than the Aussies in the shorter version of the game). And the SECOND best test playing nation in the world. How's that for a side that had no international competition for decades. So how do you reckon he did "nothing"?.

Secondly, there was no negativity in the Protea side as far as I recall. In fact, the Woolmer-era was probably the most positive they were since re-admission. If I knew any Aussie test player, I'd consider you suggestion and ask for their opinion. But whatever the Aussies say, I'll take with a big pinch of salt anyway.

I believe the record books speak louder than what ANY Aussie or whomever says.

[pie_chucker]

But SA chocked massively in a world cup semi final and never beat Australia in a test series, when in the mid 90's they werent as strong as they have been for the last 5 years or so. Anyway since when has being second best been a success?

Woolmer also had a very strong group of players to choose from with the only thing lacking from there team was a half decent spinner. I would reckon most coaches could and would have got good results out of that team.

SA have always been percieved, and rightly so IMO of being negative. Both Nasser Hussain and Steve Waugh have both said as much.

For example, if SA are batting second and looking to set a fourth innings target whereas most teams would look to accelerate their run rate to give themselves time to bowl out the opposition, SA would just plod along at 2 an over making sure they couldnt lose the game, but costing themselves a chance of winning it. surely this attitiude must stem from the coach as i get the impression that South African players are naturally positive and agressive.

I also think some of his innovations are a bit "gimmicky" with no real value. i.e. the marble slab he took to Old Trafford with Pakistan, so that his batters could counter Steve Harmison. What happened - Harmi routed Pakistan.

I take it we will have to agree to disagree on Woolmer, Wanderer, but at least we get some stimulating discussion out of it .

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

if SA are batting second and looking to set a fourth innings target whereas most teams would look to accelerate their run rate to give themselves time to bowl out the opposition, SA would just plod along at 2 an over making sure they couldnt lose the game, but costing themselves a chance of winning it.

There's a time and a place for aggression in cricket: when you are confident of stuffing a side over the course of a series you can be pretty aggressive at any time... but the moment you face decent opposition you've got to accept that going all-out for a win in one game can actually give the opposition the opportunity to steal the series.

Ponting took the aggressive option at Edgbaston in 2005: if he'd looked to sit on his Lords-Test lead by just batting England out of the game rather than hoping his McGrath-depleted attack would roll England over the Ashes would almost certainly not have been lost.

Flintoff took the aggressive option at Adelaide in 2006. Had he not declared his side would have gained the psychological boost of simply batting Australia out of the game and would have gone to Perth just one-down on the Aussies (needing just one win from three Tests to retain the Ashes) and with confidence high - bad call.

Hussain put England back on the Test map by making them "tough to beat": he can witter all he likes about Woolmer.. but winning the TOUGH Test series will always be about not giving the opposition a sniff of a chance.