Natal's Graham Ford, the front-runner for the job, has withdrawn from the race to succeed Bob Woolmer as national cricket coach.

Ford, who travelled with the South African team to New Zealand as the assistant coach and was expected to take over from Woolmer after the trip to the World Cup, told The Natal Witness on Wednesday that family commitments would prevent him from taking up one of the most sought-after jobs in world cricket.

``I've got two little boys (aged four and six) and they are too young to be left alone for long periods. Taking the job means I am going to be away from home for about 330 days a year and that would mean missing so much of my youngsters' development and growing up.''

Ford, a Maritzburg College product and former Maritzburg Varsity coach, admitted the decision had been made with some regret.

``The tour of New Zealand was a wonderful experience and the guys produced some top-class cricket. It was very good to work with some of the players I haven't had the opportunity to be with in the past and I learnt a hell of a lot. But I think maybe the right time is later when circumstances are more suitable for my family and myself.''

Ford's withdrawal sees Boland's Hylton Ackerman and Peter Kirsten of Northerns as the only remaining South African applicants for Woolmer's job, although there has also been sub-continent interest.

United Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher Wednesday confirmed Ford ``would not like his name to go forward'', but added that the UCB executive were not confined to choosing just from the applicants.

``The new coach will definitely be a South African and we will be interviewing the two applicants (Ackerman and Kirsten) on April 16, although we might look elsewhere as well.''

Bacher also said Woolmer's successor won't necessarily accompany the team to the World Cup as assistant coach. ``We may call in a fitness and training expert, or two technical advisors for batting and bowling to assist Bob.'' Although never playing cricket at the highest domestic level, Ford has become one of the most respected and successful coaches in South African cricket. His arrival as Natal coach for the 1992/93 season signalled a revival in the fortunes of the province with two four-day titles and a limited-overs cup being won in the next four years. Ford has also been the coach of recent SA U24 and SA A teams both locally and in Sri Lanka.

South Africa's loss will be Natal's gain though, as Ford will now continue as coach of the embattled provincial team and director of playing affairs for the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union in the tricky year ahead.