News of Bob Woolmer's murder has stunned Yorkshire director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon, who knew him first as a player and then more closely as a fellow coach.

"Initial reports of Bob's death came as a big shock and then to hear that he had been murdered was absolutely dreadful," said Moxon as he took charge of a Yorkshire training session at Headingley Carnegie today.

"I got to know him reasonably well and in addition to being an innovator with a great cricket brain, he was also such a good man and a really nice guy."

Moxon was just setting out on his Yorkshire cricket career in the early 1980s when Woolmer's was drawing to a close with Kent.

The pair were on opposite sides at Tunbridge Wells in 1984 when Moxon hit 110 and Woolmer replied with 58.

Geoff Boycott, now a key figure on Yorkshire's management board, also struck a century in that match and last summer he sounded out Woolmer over whether he was interested in joining the county.

Woolmer did not apply for the new post now held by Moxon, however, and he was believed to be wanting a rest from the game once his contract with Pakistan came to a close after the World Cup.

Moxon is now awaiting details of exactly when Pakistan batsman Younis Khan will be able to join up with Yorkshire.

"It is good for continuity that Younis can now be with us for the whole season and I am hoping that the Pakistan team will be allowed to leave the West Indies very soon so that things can be sorted out," he said.

Moxon was today putting the final touches to plans for Yorkshire's five-day trip to La Manga, which starts on Monday.

"We will be playing on artificial pitches and it will be good to get in some outdoor practice," said Moxon.

"Hopefully bowlers will be able to use their full run-ups and batsmen will be able to face up to spin and pace alike.

"There will be lots of fielding practice and fitness work will also feature prominently."

Moxon and captain Darren Gough have not yet got down to deciding which of the several possible combinations will open the batting and bowling for Yorkshire this season.

"We have got some pre-season games when we can look at the permutations and get a better idea of what we want," said Moxon.

"At the moment, I am just delighted with the fantastic attitude of the players whose work ethic and attitude could not be better."

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