Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer hasjoined the list of Sachin Tendulkar critics saying that the batting maestro has passed his prime and some technical flaws have crept into his batting. Writing for the Wisden Cricketer, which is hitting the stands on Friday, the former England Test player said Tendulkar is now not as prolific as he was and his feet does not move as it used to earlier.
“The local media are questioning his technique and he is not as prolific as he has been.* He is susceptible to the ball nipping back off the seam and does not move his feet as well as he used to. I do not want to tempt providence but, for all his class, he is not as destructive as he was and he can be contained,*” Woolmer said in the best-selling cricket magazine.
Pinpointing key areas for England to focus on to beat India in next month’s Test series, Woolmer also offers on how to bowl to Rahul Dravid.
“He is not nicknamed ‘The Wall’ for nothing but, having taken on opening, he may have exposed himself slightly. The new ball can get him out and he tends to play with his bat outside his body to a ball on line with off stump, which can result in an edge.”
Calling Sehwag as probably the most destructive opener in world cricket, the Pakistan coach said the Indian opener should not be allowed to settle down. “He offers chances early on and they need to be held. For a player of his ability he tends to lose patience against spin.”
Karachi centurion Yuvraj Singh, Woolmer said, could be got out by inswinging or short ball.
“One of the next generation and a lovely timer of the ball. He is a good batsman but looks fallible to the inswing bowler who has the ability to go across him. He times the ball sweetly and, like a lot of Indian batsman who do not see much bounce, looks insecure against the short ball,” Woolmer has this to offer for Yuvi.
He said Dhoni is a very powerful player with limited foot movement and loves to drive off front and back foot and will hook anything. "His drive is susceptible if the ball goes away from him. Like Sehwag he does not move his feet and also does not enjoy a spinner bowling wide at him.
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
Woolmer has been the coach of the side which has played against India back to back in 2 years. Look at the result of the 2 series and you will get to know that he is credible enough to give couple of useful tips to englishmen. A 1-1 draw (coming from 1-0 down) and 1-0 series victory is not bad at all.
The only time he went wrong was during the latest ODI series which the major culprits were Pakistan batsmen and fielders and not the bowlers.
Do you really think that it is an easy job for bowlers to defend 280 runs on subcontinent pitches?
Keep in mind that India were batting second when the pitches were easy to bat on, fielding was way below standard and Pakistan was missing Akhtar. Now dont get me wrong here, I give full credit to Indian team and their professional display. But among all the 3 departments I think it will a bit harsh to say that Pakistani bowlers were the major culprit.
Coming back to the original question, it is very normal for coaches to comment before a series specially if they have played frequently against a side and have been suuuessful as well.
Now dont tell me that Woolmer hasn’t been successful against Indians.
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
Pakistan didn't have the bolwing to implement Woolmer's plan. Knowing how to do something is one thing; actually carrying it out is another. it just underscores the value of pure paceman like shoaib.
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
What Woolmer is saying is right. He probably told all this to our bowlers as well hence the result in karachi. ODI is a different story, you don't often have the time to implement these things within the limited number of overs.
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
we understand now.
re Woolmer - reading this article confirms the guy is a fountain of fake
Read all of what I wrote before picking out a single line.
As far as Woolmer is concerned, all I can tell you is that India has not been able to beat Pakistan under Woolmer, yet in a Test series.
These credentials of Woolmer are good enough for him to say anything about the Indian side for the upcoming Series.
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
These Indians will start picking on woolmer thinking of ODI and if we start talking about Test they will disapear like they never exist. So basically if they can win something they will come back to talk about it otherwise don't even bother.
Good point Umair.
That reminds me of the famous and one of the biggest test victorties of Indian Cricket, which was against Australia back in 2001. Did anyone remember that India lost the ODI series against Australia during that famous series, but still no one will mention about it. Not becasue they lost it but as Umair said, it is always the test series which value the most.
lol, where were Woolmer’s secrets during Test 1 and Test 2 when Indians were piling up mammoth run totals and setting batting records?
Test 3 obviously had a bowler’s wicket, as 3 out of the 4 innings showed. the Pak win came solely from their second innings batting (or crappy second innings Indian bowling).
in 7 out of the 8 contests during the tour (2 Test, 5 ODI), Indian batsmen totally destroyed the bowling attack…so I don’t see your point.
He was still there and you don’t remember the records made by Pak batting line up and what Asif did in the 3rd test? Why going back to Test 1 and 2 only and remembering just YOUR batting records.
You see it as indian crapy bowling in test 3 but you don’t see it in ODI 2 3 4 5 obviously you won so no need to worry about crapy bowling.
Now even the indians hate Woolmer and trying to pick on him cuz they can’t see bringing Pak team to the right path (thats how I see it)
fkhan2 thats a good point you brought up, see how they change their colors
Is that why you are picking on Woolmer just for ODI’s what about 3rd test?
Lets assume the ODI’s yet to start and you came accross this article after the 3rd test. I am sure you would have agreed to Woolmer like you were saying Pak will win ODI 5-0 or 4-1
Re: Woolmer Knows it all.... still doesnt use them..
woolmer is simply saying things that he thinks will please Pak fans. Anything to keep them from thinking too much about inept coaching and shiftless strategy - don't yell at me, Imran said that part about strategy
i thought bowlers couldnt defend 280+ scored which India chased easily in all 4 matches and they one India lost India scored 329.
But I will. I remeber all the ODI series between India and Pakistan. 
