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Journalism of Courage
He started with the Asia Cup — really a teething time after Javed Miandad had been sacked as Pakistan coach — but on the evidence from the Videocon Cup in Holland and the Champions Trophy so far, Bob Woolmer has stamped his experimental ways on the Pak side. Here are some of the changes Woolmer has brought about; that the Indians will have to fight off…
DISCIPLINING SHOAIB
The temperamental speedster had a disappointing time against the Indians at home. Instead of criticising Shoaib like former coaches and cricketers, Woolmer called him a ‘matchwinner’ and worked on his run-up (shortening it). Though Shoaib hasn’t fired much of late, he appears keener.
REDEFINING AFRIDI
Afridi’s effectiveness at the top of the order was wearing off, so much so that he was dropped and reduced to leading the Pak A side. Woolmer has used Afridi’s slogging powers at the lower middle-order, and worked on him as a bowler. The result: match-winning bowling efforts at Amstelveen and against Kenya here.
MOULDING MALIK
The star of the side had become India’s bogeyman during the Indian tour of Pakistan, but was still not a regular. But the Asia Cup — where Malik was established at number three — is where Woolmer played his masterstroke. Now, Malik’s off-spin bowling is just an add-on…
BETTER GROUND WORK
Pakistan is still not quite Australia on the field, but they have certainly come up from the bottom of the pile. Having perfected the processes with Jonty Rhodes as the Saf coach, for Woolmer it’s now just a matter of bringing the Wanderers to Gaddafi.
