Woolmer claims to know details of a campaign he thinks was concocted to distract his team with nine days to the MCG Test. ``I know the full story,'' he said. ``I know exactly why it's happened, I've been to Australia before.
`` It's obvious to me they are trying to rattle the South African team before the Test. Bringing a minor incident to the fore just before a Test match is nothing new.''
Television footage in Australia shows Cronje with his boot spikes on the ball during crowd disruptions in a one-day match against the host nation in Sydney a fortnight ago.
But Alan Jordaan, the South African manager, says the team have held their own investigation into the incident and absolved their captain.
``We've examined Hansie about it,'' Jordaan said. ``We made him give us his explanation, which we have accepted, so from our point of view he has been exonerated. It's obviously going to spice the Test series up. I just hope it hasn't been done intentionally, but I can't comment on that.''
Woolmer said what Channel Nine television, which has several former Test cricketers as commentators, chose to do or show was their own business. ``It's up to Australia how they run their affairs,'' he said.
Cronje refused to speak on the incident but is said to claim complete innocence.
Jordaan said his normally ebullient captain was distressed over the incident and from the subsequent media reaction. ``We don't want to say he's angry but he's certainly upset,'' Jordaan said. ``He feels he's been let down to a certain extent.''
Woolmer and Jordan, having protested Cronje's innocence, are determined not to let the incident affect the team's preparation for the opening Test.
``As far as I'm concerned it's history, I don't know how long ago it was now,'' Woolmer said. ``It's quite clear from what I've heard that the match referee Cammie Smith has said the incident is over and the Australian Cricket Board has said it is over. That's where we end it.
``Quite frankly, I just want to focus on the four-day game against Australia A starting here tomorrow followed by the Test match. These things are not going to affect me. I'm not really interested.''
Cronje remained a dignified leader, according to Woolmer. ``He's a fine sportsman and whatever happened doesn't reflect his ability to play the game hard and properly,'' he said.
Ali Bacher, the United Cricket Board of South Africa's chief executive, has been in constant touch with the touring team to monitor developments but is satisfied that his captain has nothing to answer.
International Cricket Council rules say that accusations of ball-tampering must be brought to the referee's attention during the course of the match for action to be taken.