Woolmer still seeks ways to improve

quot;At the camp we laughed a lot, talked about cricket and communication and everything relevant to the team together,quot; said Woolmer, who has coached the team for five years.

Such communication sparked controversy at Hove on Saturday against India when Woolmer and captain Hansie Cronje were stopped from using a one-way radio during the match.

Cronje8217;s ear piece was removed on the instructions of the match referee and Cronje went on to lead the favourites to a four-wicket victory without Woolmer8217;s instructions ringing in his ear.

The idea was typical of Woolmer wholoves books on motivation and psychology, and is constantly questioning his methods and looking at new ways to improve and unify his players into the most efficient playing unit. He says his whole life has been dedicated to the team ethic.

When he was born in India his father laid a bat on his cradle and said to his mother8217;s horror: quot;Son, I hope this will be your life.quot; In India he played hockey as a small child and transferred his enthusiasm to England when the family returned. He played in a local amateur side and became very close to his team mates.

Not all the South Africans were initially easy with Woolmer8217;s approach. quot;Some of the squad are shy, reserved individuals but they8217;ve become more open with time,quot; he said. The South Africans, based in Brighton on the south coast, have looked supremely relaxed from the moment they arrived.

Woolmer took up cricket full-time just as the limited-over competition was taking off. quot;I was brought up with one-day cricket. It was part of my education. I think Iplayed in the second-ever one-day match 8212; at Old Trafford after the first in Australia.quot; he said.

Woolmer has never been out of the game in both its forms, moving from playing to coaching jobs at Kent, Boland, Warwickshire and South Africa. quot;I have a passion for the game, it is always a vocation for me,quot; he said.Such a passion is also evident in the players and official with the team. quot;I have two workaholic assistant coaches and a very good captain in Hansie Cronje who is an intense person, committed to his role on and off the field,quot; Woolmer said.

Woolmer compared South Africa8217;s team ethic to that of Australia, second favourites for the trophy, who look upon their team as a family. quot;South Africa has the same approach.quot;