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Woolmer's heart with South Africans

Bob Woolmer believes he has become too deeply involved in South African cricket to suddenly switch to the England camp.

Woolmer, at one time the favourite to succeed David Lloyd as England coach, has withdrawn his name from a shortlist including Duncan Fletcher, Dav Whatmore and Jack Birkenshaw.

The job, in any case, simply came at the wrong time with applicants being interviewed during South Africa's preparations for Thursday's World Cup semi-final against Australia at Edgbaston.

Woolmer said he will make an announcement on his future after the tournament, which is his last engagement as South Africa's national coach.

"It's very difficult when you have been intrinsically involved in South African cricket for five years to suddenly swap countries, and I hope people understand that," said Woolmer, the former Kent all-rounder who played 19 Tests for England.

"I've been involved in South Africa for a long time, all the way back to 1970-71. I've coached a lot of cricketers there and I coached some of the present South African side when they were 15 or 16.

"I think it will be hard for me to come out of that situation straight into the English cricket game when I haven't been here for five years. I don't know what the scenario is, I can only see from the outside, or what I read in the newspapers."

Woolmer took the South African post after guiding Warwickshire to the treble, and there has been some speculation that he could return to the Midland county.

He added: "I thought about the England job long and hard and I decided that instead of beating about the bush and keeping them waiting, it was better for all of us, including myself, the South African team and English cricket, that I pulled out of the running.

"I do need a break, and I'm going to take it. I've decided exactly where my future lies, but for the moment I'm concentrating on the World Cup."

Agencies