Ford chance as South African coach

Ford, highly successful as the South Africa A coach under difficult conditions in Sri Lanka last July and August, joined the queue for Woolmer's position when appointed as assistant coach for the tour of New Zealand which starts next month.

When making the announcement at Newland's yesterday, Dr Ali Bacher, managing director of the UCB, said it was hoped to make the known the name of Woolmer's replacement just after the New Zealand tour in April. This would make it possible for the successful applicant to go to England with the World Cup squad.

Next summer's test and limited-overs international programme includes tours to Zimbabwe and India with Zimbabwe and England touring South Africa.

Interest over Woolmer's successor after the World Cup in June, also includes names such as Barry Richards and Corrie van Zyl and has been the cause of wide speculation since Duncan Fletcher, once seen as the natural replacement to Woolmer, opted out after deciding to concentrate on dividing his attention between Western Province and Glamorgan.

Ford greeted his appointment as Woolmer's assistant for the New Zealand tour with the sort of modesty from a man who allowed Malcolm Marshall, now the West Indies coach, to take most of the credit for bringing on players such as Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener. But Ford has long been regraded as the ``brains trust'' behind the Natal becoming one of the top provinces in the country in the 1990s.

``I have not as yet had the chance to talk to either Bob (Woolmer) or Hansie (Cronje) about my role for the trip to New Zealand,'' Ford said yesterday. ``But I find it is an exciting position and I am looking forward to the challenge.

``It is nice to be involved at such a level and working with the players at this level.''

A calming influence during the stressful period at the start of the South Africa A tour of Sri Lanka last year, Ford's expertise was noticeable in the way he brought the best of the side led by Dale Benkenstein. Much of the credit for the success of that tour belongs to the Natal director of player affairs, brought back to look after the side after a disappointing start to the season. Acknowledgement of his work in Sri Lanka and with Natal has now been recognised by the UCB.

The move has been welcomed by Kepler Wessels, the former South African captain, who felt Ford had much to offer the game at international level. Goolam Raja is to manage the South African side to New Zealand.