Johannesburg (South Africa) - After weeks where the guessing game threw up any number of possibilities, Duncan Fletcher has suddenly remerged as the most likely candidate to take over from Bob Woolmer after the year's World Cup in England on June 20.

In an interesting twist to the ``name the new coach'' puzzle Graham Ford's name was also back in the pack being shuffled by the UCB.

Fletcher, said to be sought by England to take over from David Lloyd, is known to be available for the South Africa job. He admitted some time ago that he was interested in succeeding Woolmer when he retired.

A former South Africa A coach and also the man who runs Western Province as well as the English county Glamorgan, Fletcher was thought to have lost interest because of his Glamorgan contract in which he is now in his second year. His first season of 1997 was a ``one off'' effort but there had been the impression that his long-term plans were rather English county orientated than those of the South Africa provincial scene.

His withdrawal as coach of the South African A side in Sri Lanka last year seem to confirm this view, but it seems that wrong signals were being received. It was not until the weekend when he was contacted that his name was put forward as a candidate.

The former Zimbabwe captain and all-rounder has, like Woolmer international experience although his last job with a South African side as coach was with the SA A team against West Indies A.

Now the UCB have to buy him out of his Glamorgan contract, which is similar to what they did with Woolmer, contracted at the time by Warwickshire.

It is understandable that Fletcher would rather coach South Africa than England. As the A team coach he has had a working relationship with most of the younger South African players, helping a number of them when coach of South Africa A. Another factor in his favour is he would be acceptable to the senior national players.

What is of interests that Dr Ali Bacher would not like to see Woolmer take over the England post so soon after vacating the South African job because of his specialist knowledge, and especially as South Africa and England play a five-match test series next summer.

Woolmer has already had discussions with an ECB official, Simon Pack, but the discussions did not include financial terms. Chances are, however, Woolmer is unlikely to take up the post until after England's tour of South Africa next southern summer. At the earliest it will be in Zimbabwe in February and March.

Now Ford, citing family reasons for his withdrawal, has it seems sorted out the problem and was in a position to take over from Woolmer as the coach to take South Africa into the next millennium.

Both Fletcher and Ford have coached South Africa A, both are highly respected, with Ford's influence noticeable in Natal where he has guided Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Jonty Rhodes, Derek Crookes and pat Symcox .

Although he has had a lower profile than Fletcher, Ford also has a noted sense of humour and enjoys a good relationship with the players.

At present there is some confusion over the story the UCB have barred Richard Pybus, the British-born Border coach from his fitness and training job as part of Pakistan's build up to the World Cup.

Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board, may issue a statement on behalf of the UCB executive after the announcement of the coach to replace Woolmer.