Woolmer keeps his options open (31 December 1998)

31 December 1998

Woolmer keeps his options open

Interview by Geoffrey Dean

THE United Cricket Board of South Africa do not want to lose Bob Woolmer when his contract as national coach expires in June. After having dinner with Woolmer on Monday night, Dr Ali Bacher, the board's chief executive, revealed that in March he would be offering Woolmer a part-time role, probably as a coach to South African teams at junior level.

Woolmer, however, is keeping all his options open, while being keen to deflect speculation that he could be the England Cricket Board's first choice to succeed David Lloyd as England coach after the World Cup. "I'd just like to be left in peace until June 20," Woolmer mused after his side had won the series against West Indies.

"My goal is to win the World Cup in 1999. I've got a very special group of players together that I know will compete. We will not be also-rans. For me to be interested in other schemes now is wrong. What I do know is that I'm going to need a break after the World Cup given my physical condition."

If that is not a strong enough hint that Woolmer might be unwilling to take over from Lloyd for the New Zealand Test series in July, then he leaves little doubt where his allegiances lie. "I've emigrated to South Africa and want to finish here. My son goes to Cape Town University in February and my other son is at school here. I've built up a nice little home and have just joined Mowbray Golf Club."

When the former Kent and England all-rounder, who first came to South Africa in 1974 to play for Natal, says his heart is in this country, he means it. He loves living in Cape Town, having ruled himself out of the new UCBSA director of coaching job because it would have meant moving to Johannesburg. If they really do want him, the ECB could find he plays hard to get.

A county would appear to have more chance of recruiting him, notably Warwickshire who are known to want him to return when Phil Neale's contract expires after next season. "I certainly wouldn't rule out a return to county cricket," admitted Woolmer. "It's an attractive proposition to earn pounds with the current exchange rate and I've got to look to the future as far as pension funds are concerned. But if the ECB come to me with a proposal, I'd have to look at it."

For there to be any chance of accepting it, Woolmer would want certain criteria met, one of which would almost certainly be the contracting of players to the board, as is the case in South Africa. "To affect some sort of change and movement forward, you have to have good back-up. You'd need to bring on board the provincial and county coaches. There'd have to be a discussion as to what role I'd play within that scenario. David Lloyd's a very good coach, but the problem is how to make those coming through better cricketers."

Woolmer admits he was desperately disappointed to lose in England last summer. "We didn't deserve to, but it was a terrific learning curve for us as it was our first five-Test away series. England showed a lot of guts and proved themselves fine players in their own conditions. I don't know why they struggle away from home. Without being involved, it's not right to comment."

He may never do so. He says he wants to get away from the continual pressure of winning and losing, to get out of the stress zone.

For that reason, England may have to look elsewhere.

West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh is doubtful for the next Test against South Africa which starts on Saturday in Cape Town.

Walsh injured his left hamstring while fielding on the last day of the third Test on Tuesday.

"Courtney has a slight tear of the hamstring, and I doubt he will play," said Clive Lloyd, the tourists' manager.

Curtly Ambrose, suffering from fluid on the knee, is not in top form but could still play as West Indies attempt to restore some pride with South Africa leading the series 3-0.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)