Head coach Paul Adams has expressed disappointment, after several contracted Cape Cobras players made an official complaint against him.
Earlier this week, South African Cricketers’ Association Head of Player Services and Advocacy Andrew Breetzke confirmed to Club Cricket SA: “The majority of the contracted Cobras players have lodged a formal grievance. The grievance relates to a material breakdown in their relationship with the coach.”
Former South Africa spin bowler Adams assumed his current position in 2012. The Cape Cobras shared the Momentum One Day Cup title with the Lions and Titans in 2012-13 and 2013-14 – and won South Africa’s premier first-class competition, the Sunfoil Series, in the same seasons. In 2014-15, they clinched the Ram Slam T20 Challenge crown.
The 2015-16 season brought defeat in the One Day Cup final, a semi-final exit in the T20 Challenge – and a disappointment fourth-place finish in the Sunfoil Series on the back of just three wins in 10 fixtures.
“I was made aware of complaints after last season was completed. I am a young coach and always willing to learn and take these observations on board. I wish it was communicated to me during the season, so that it could be addressed,” the Cape Times quoted Adams as saying.
“I have undergone a leadership course during the winter – and I’m confident of the way forward. The sun is out and the boys are outdoors training in the nets. That’s my focus at the moment, to get my players ready for the new season.”
Proteas cricketers Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, JP Duminy and Stiaan van Zyl are among the 18 players contracted by the Cobras. The remaining 11 are first-class captain Omphile Ramela, limited-overs skipper Justin Ontong, wicketkeeper-batsmen Andrew Puttick and Dane Vilas, batsmen Keegan Petersen and Richard Levi – and seamers Beuran Hendricks, Dane Paterson, Lizaad Williams, Rory Kleinveldt and Tshepo Moreki.
Claims that Adams will promptly be succeeded by new assistant coach Ashwell Prince, meanwhile, remain unsubstantiated.