Woolmer issues clarification over Smith row

Bob Woolmer has issued a clarification of his reported conversation with South Africa's new captain, Graeme Smith, in an attempt to end a simmering feud ahead of this summer's tour of England.

Earlier in the week, Woolmer was reported to have spoken to Smith, pleading with him not to accept the Test captaincy in the wake of Shaun Pollock's sacking. In fact, that plea was merely a succession of answer-phone messages, as Woolmer was unable to get through.

"I tried to phone Graeme several times, but I was not able to get hold of him," said Woolmer, who was South Africa's coach up until the end of the 1999 World Cup and remains a high-profile figure in the country. "But if I had spoken to him, I would have pleaded with him not to accept the captaincy once Shaun Pollock was sacked.

"I wanted to advise him that it would be better to take the captaincy later in his career," added Woolmer. "Unfortunately his telephone was on answer-mail, and he only responded a fortnight later while I was travelling."

The war of words erupted at a benefit dinner for Dale Benkenstein in Pietermaritzburg, when Woolmer said he was deeply hurt by the present state of affairs in South African cricket. He went on to point a finger at Smith, who had questioned Lance Klusener's team ethic in a breakfast interview.

"I can't really believe that Lance has not been selected to tour England," said Woolmer. "It was because of him that we got to the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup in the first place. That man wins games for South Africa and then someone had the temerity to attack him at a breakfast."

Smith is the youngest man ever to lead the national side, and Woolmer was incensed by his lack of respect for a man who has been a mainstay of the team for over half a decade. "Graeme Smith has not been playing long enough," he said, "and after five Tests has no right to criticise someone whose track record for South Africa is so good.

Woolmer also hinted at provincialism in South African cricket when he said, "Lance, I must tell you that if you live in Cape Town you have more chance of playing for South Africa, and you think I'm joking." Omar Henry the chairman of selectors, Eric Simons the national coach, and Smith are all from Cape Town.

Henry had also joined in the row, suggesting that Woolmer needed to have his eyes tested as he didn't seem to know which country he was in. "As far as Henry is concerned, I get my eyes tested every year," replied Woolmer. "I live in South Africa and have South African cricket at heart."

"My number at home remains the same if Smith wants to discuss South African cricket with me," he added. "I am always available."