Donald devasted by death

Allan Donald worked with Bob Woolmer at Warwickshire

Former South Africa pace bowler Allan Donald admitted on Sunday he was devastated by the death at the age of 58 of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

Donald, who was told by Woolmer’s wife of the death, worked closely with Woolmer when the former England Test batsman was coach of the Proteas.

Donald said: “It’s pretty devastating.

“We're talking about a person who was very close to me for the majority of my cricketing career.

“It is very sad to hear of his passing on, and I spoke to his wife about an hour ago, when she broke the news to me. I was ice cold.”

Donald compared the moment to the death of his friend and former Proteas captain Hansie Cronje in a plane crash in 2002.

Donald said: “We were pretty shocked when Hansie passed away, and something like this is just as big. It’s very shocking.”

Donald said the last time he spoke to Woolmer was on Pakistan's recent tour of South Africa, when they had dinner together.

Bob Woolmer © Getty Images

“We had supper after the Centurion Test match, and we would have seen each other soon again,” said Donald.

Donald, who spearheaded the South Africa attack when Woolmer was in charge, said he would remember Woolmer as an innovator, a passionate coach and also stressed his personal qualities.

“He was never a schoolmaster, but rather very much a professional person. He always had his head stuck in books and coaching manuals looking for an extra edge.

“Technically he was amazing and from a bowling point of view, he was outstanding. From a batting point of view he had that ability to make a player very comfortable and that is what made him special.

“He was very experienced and a top class coach but never came across as a guy who was stressed.”

Donald continued: “The cricketing world has lost a great man and will continue to be shocked for days and months.”

Donald lamented the fact that Woolmer died in the aftermath of one of his career lowpoints, Pakistan’s shock defeat at the hands of Ireland which eliminated them from World Cup contention.

“The timing of it was so wrong,” he said. “I watched the game on television and there was a shot of him laughing - like the Bob I knew - when Pakistan were one down.

“Then right at the end the shot was of him being serious and packing his bags. But my word, to have this happen the next day is really hard to swallow.”