Woolmer murder a factor in Chappell's resignation: Ian

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's murder at the World Cup may have hastened Greg Chappell's decision to quit as India's coach, elder brotherIan Chappell said on Thursday.
The younger Chappell had on Wednesday declined to extend his two-year tenure as India's coach due to "family and personal" reasons after the national team were knocked out of the ongoing World Cup in the firstround."If there was any chance of Greg continuing as coach of India, itprobably disappeared when Bob Woolmer was murdered during the World Cup," IanChappell wrote in the Mumbai-based Mid-day newspaper.
"Such an ugly incident issure to focus your concentration on life's priorities. Greg is probably betteroff without all the angst that comes with one of the most demanding jobs incricket."
Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Kingston, Jamaica, onMarch 18, a day after Pakistan were defeated by minnows Ireland to bow out ofthe tournament.Jamaican police said Woolmer was strangled to death but have yetto identify the killers.
The World Cup humiliation caused shock and anger amongcricket-mad fans in India and Pakistan, forcing police in both countries totighten security around the players.Ian Chappell, who, like Greg, is a formerAustralian captain, said his brother must have thought hard before deciding notto seek an extension to his 300,000-dollar-a-year job with India."I doubt Gregwill feel completely fulfilled," wrote Ian.
"A perfectionist, even one who hasmellowed, is never going to be happy with under-achieving on his expectations.
"Greg's only rationale for playing cricket was to win. His approach in hislatest role would have been exactly the same -- to do everything he could tohelp India win."Greg is a respectful person but there is no point in trying tobe like an Indian when you've been employed because of your knowledge andexperience as an Australian cricketer."

Bob Woolmer dies after World Cup defeat

KINGSTON, Jamaica
Celebrated cricket coach Bob Woolmer, who was handling the Pakistan team, died aged 58 on Sunday after being found unconscious in his hotel room the morning after his side's shock World Cup exit, the Pakistan team management announced.
"Robert Andrew Woolmer has passed away today and the entire Pakistan team and management are shocked and saddened by his passing," Pakistan team spokesman Pervez Mir said reading a statement.
Woolmer had seen his team crash out of the World Cup on Saturday after a shock Group D defeat by debutants Ireland at Sabina Park.
"We've been speaking to the doctors and they think it is either stress or a heart attack," Woolmer's son, Russell, told South African radio station 702 from Cape Town.
"There was a lot of stress in his job and it may have been stress that caused it.
"We're all very shocked and we don't know what to do. I've lost an amazing man to me."
It has yet to be confirmed if the India-born (in Kanpur) coach died in hospital or his hotel room, where Mir said staff discovered Woolmer on the floor at 1030 (1530 GMT).
Mir added Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was 'totally shocked and bewildered' with the news.
The former England batsman was made coach of Pakistan in June 2004. The job of coaching the national team of the cricket-crazy country is considered one of the most pressurised in the sport.
Woolmer, who had a distinguished career as a coach, appeared to take the defeat by Ireland in his stride following the match.
His contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board was due to finish on June 30 but it was widely expected he would part company with them after the World Cup which is scheduled to finish on April 28.
"I would like to sleep on my future as a coach," Woolmer said in Saturday's post-match news conference.
"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."
Mir confirmed that Woolmer had been 'perfectly fine after the game'.
"I had a very good chat with him and he was thinking about doing a number of things for Pakistan cricket. He had a lot of plans and wanted to go back and speak to the chairman."
Before turning to coaching, Woolmer played 19 Tests and six one-dayers for England during the 1970s.