Woolmer case is closed - Pakistan

Pakistan's cricket chief says it is time for the national team to move on after it was revealed that coach Bob Woolmer was not murdered.

Jamaican police announced on Tuesday that Woolmer died of natural causes.

Ex-skipper Imran Khan and Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf have said the Pakistan Cricket Board should sue over the way the investigation was handled.

But chairman Nasim Ashraf said: "The chapter of Woolmer's death is closed and we feel it's time to move on."

Ashraf, who resigned after Pakistan's World Cup exit but was asked to stay on by President Pervez Musharraf, appeared to rule out taking any legal action.

"I have given you Pakistan's stance and I don't want to comment on what individuals say," he said.

In a statement on Tuesday the PCB expressed "great satisfaction over the fact that the truth has finally come out" after months of speculation over Woolmer's death, which occurred following Pakistan's shock World Cup defeat by Ireland in Kingston.

It added: "The PCB showed utmost patience throughout the investigations and provided all help needed to complete the procedure with only one objective in mind - bringing the truth to light.

"We fully respect the final verdict issued by the Jamaican Police.

"The board understands that during the past three months of investigations, certain irresponsible and hypothetical statements were made, not just in Jamaica but on the international scene as well.

"This was very traumatic not only to the Woolmer family but also to the entire Pakistan nation."

Jamaican police defended their handling of the case, which appeared at first to cast suspicion on members of the Pakistan team by delaying their departure after the final World Cup game against Zimbabwe.

"This was an extraordinary case," said deputy commissioner Mark Shields.

"Murder investigations are not like TV series, where everything is wrapped up in 45 minutes. All we could do was conduct a thorough investigation and not rush."

Harmison receives Gough's backing

Former England paceman Darren Gough is confident that Steve Harmison can rediscover his best form.

Harmison, 28, endured a miserable Ashes series and has bowled erratically in the Tests against West Indies.

But Gough told BBC Radio Five Live: "He's got 200 Test wickets and has bowled out the best teams in the world.

"He's had a bad couple of months and people are saying he's rubbish. He's awesome. That guy can go and get 300 or 400 Test wickets."

Yorkshire captain Gough, who took 229 Test wickets for England, added: "When they look down and see the name Steve Harmison, it worries the opposition."

Gough's view of Harmison's talent was echoed by another former England bowler, Dominic Cork.

Steve Harmison will be the number one world-class bowler for a long time to come

Dominic Cork

"When he gets it right, he is the best in the world, up there with the likes of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.

"He gets wickets. Somebody who has become number one in the world all of a sudden doesn't just lose talent.

"Steve Harmison will be the number one world-class bowler for a long time to come and we should get off his back and give him a chance."

However, Gough feels that Harmison's England team-mate Liam Plunkett needs to get his confidence back before facing further international opposition.

"I really rate him but he has just got to start again," said Gough.

"His confidence is just shot to bits and he needs to get back now and play some county cricket.

"I think they'll bring him back for the one-dayers but I think he needs to get some confidence back."

Lara planning to return to action

West Indies legend Brian Lara says he could play again within six months of his international retirement.

"I think I am going to play cricket again. If I go six or eight months without cricket I would lose it and I don't want to lose it yet," he said.

However, in an interview with Wisden Cricketer magazine Lara, 38, appeared to rule out an international comeback.

He claimed he left West Indies cricket on his own terms, although he had expected to tour England this summer.

"I leave West Indies cricket with my head held high," he said.

Without Lara, Test cricket's leading scorer with 11,953 runs from 131 matches, West Indies conceded the series to England 2-0 with one match still to play.

I wanted to come to England but I had also said I wanted to finish with one-dayers

Brian Lara

Lara's international retirement was announced in dramatic fashion before West Indies' final game of a disappointing World Cup on home soil.

At the time he left open the possibility of playing on, away from international cricket.

"We needed a new direction, someone who was willing to see some sort of change," he said in the magazine interview.

"I was willing to do that. I wanted to come to England but I had also said I wanted to finish with one-dayers. It's not ideal but then how many things in life are?"

Asked if his planned comeback would be with celebrity club side Lashings, he replied, "No, no".

County cricket and the proposed new Indian breakaway 20-over league are possibilities.