Dark Shadow

The death of Bob Woolmer casts a dark shadow over the Cricket World Cup, one that will not disappear especially as his murderer has not been caught.

It will forever define this tournament to some extent but events on the field if exceptional or surprising enough could temper its impact. However this appears unlikely given the quality of games so far.
Australia are cut above every other team and while there is always a possibility they could lose a one off match it is a distant prospect given the way they beat both South Africa and the West Indies before dispatching Bangladesh by 10wickets. It is difficult to imagine though that this team will be remembered in the same way as say the Brazilian football team of the 1970 World Cup.
It is not the first time that a death of an international manager has overshadowed cricket in the West Indies. In 1981 when England toured the Caribbean Ken Barrington died of a heart attack following the third test at the Kesington Oval. The tour was already surrounded in controversy following the late inclusion of Robin Jackman for Bob Willis.
It was Jackmans link with the then banned South Africa that had prompted the Guyanese government to refuse him entry in to the country. The whole tour was threatened at one stage but although the test match in Georgetown was cancelled the series continued.
These two events were overshadowed though by what is now widely considered to be the greatest over ever bowled. The bowler in question was Michael Holding and the unfortunate batsman was Geoff Boycott. Nicknamed the Whispering Death on account of his rhythmical smooth run up to the crease and his electric pace Holding came on to bowl on a green and uneven wicket.
His first ball rapped Boycott on the gloves but it was only a loosener. The next two Boycott played and missed to whist balls four and five had him in trouble but somehow he managed to keep them out. Each ball was getting faster and faster until ball six took out the stumps while the Englishman looked on in disbelief.
Most people can remember great deliveries such as Shane Warnes ‘wonder ball’ to Mike Gatting but never a whole over that had such an impact on a match. Boycott himself has dismissed the incident by blaming the pitch but that says more about his mental attitude to how he played cricket than a true reflection of what happened. In order to play at the highest level sportsmen often convince themselves they were not at fault so as to protect the self confidence that is required to compete with the best.
That night following the days Cricket, Barrington suffered a massive heart attack that stunned the England Team and though they carried on with the game and tour their hearts and minds were not really in it and it was no surprise to see them beaten soundly.
The difference in the Woolmer situation though is the nature of his death and the fact that his murder is still unsolved ensures this tournament cannot and should not move on. The legacy will be similar to the Olympics in Munich in 1972 when the death of 11 Israelis is still the main thing this event is remembered for.
On occasions like these everyone involved can do no more than continue with the event but it is with a sense of sorrow and perspective that it does so. It is a stark reminder that even with all the money and business interest involved it is only a game and there are many more important things in life.

The death of a coach
Patrick Cummings in England