Woolmer, with the South Africans in Pakistan, said yesterday: ``Somehow Surrey got the idea that I was not totally happy in my present job. They are looking for someone to replace Dave Gilbert there and their captain, Adam Hollioake, called to see if I was interested.

``But I told Hollioake that I am waiting to see if my contract with the national side is renewed at the end of next April. So I could not possibly move to London before then, which is probably too late for them in terms of plans for the 1998 season.''

If South Africa renew his contract, as is probable, it is almost certain that Woolmer would accept - particularly with a five-Test tour of England coming up next summer, followed by the World Cup.

He has at times, however, shown some exasperation with his job. His argument is not so much with South Africa as with the way the game in general is changing so slowly, failing to adopt technical innovations he considers necessary if cricket is to be a popular world sport in the next millennium.

He moved from Warwickshire to become South Africa's Cape Town-based coach in 1994. ``By and large I am very happy with the South African set-up,'' he said.

Woolmer, 39, maintained that Surrey were just sounding him out and added: ``I was flattered. It is nice to be wanted.''