It has been a winter of discontent for the Cape Cobras, but now they can finally prove whether they’ve put their issues behind them on the field.
The Sunfoil Series starts on Wednesday, with the Cobras having travelled up to Johannesburg to take on the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers (10am start).
The off-season was marked by a spat between some of the players and coach Paul Adams, which led to a grievance being lodged by the group against the coach relating to their unhappiness about Adams’ performance as a coach.
Following a mediation process involving former Proteas consultant Paddy Upton, the Western Cape Cricket board decided that Adams should continue as the Cobras coach and have also given him a two-year contract extension.
It is believed that some of the aggrieved players have now taken the matter to the CCMA, but they will have to get on with their jobs as players if they hope to beat the Lions.
Adams told Independent Media on Tuesday that the Cobras arrived in Johannesburg on Monday already to “to get the team together, away from everything and have a few discussions”, and he feels that they have emerged from it excited to be back on the field again.
“Look, I think it’s still (a case) of relationships to build, especially with what we’ve gone through – it doesn’t just happen overnight. And through actions and through behaviour, and how we go on about our business is important – how we respect each other in that way,” he said.
“We’ll look to work hard as a group on a few things, and make sure that at the end of the day, cricket becomes the winner. We are all professional in what we want to do, and ambitions of where we want to go. I think it’s important to look at what the team requires, and respect that.
“It’s important to make sure that we know what the team wants to achieve in terms of skill, and also how we work together as a unit to see that success. It’s important that everyone is on the same page, and we understand that everyone’s also got personal goals. But we need to work together to achieve it.
“It’s exciting to be back on the field, and you could see it over the last two days with the work that the boys have put in – they’ve been really good and professional about it.”
One of the players believed to be unhappy with Adams, top-order batsman Omphile Ramela, has been chosen as the captain for the season after leading the franchise in the Sunfoil Series last year as well.
Adams said that Ramela will open the batting against the Lions after batting mainly at No 3 in the past, while Proteas Test batsman Stiaan van Zyl has passed a fitness test and is set come in at No 3.
“Ramela will open with (Andrew) Puttick, and he’s done it before. We’ve laid down the challenge for him to push for a spot in the Proteas side as an opening batsman. He’s 28 now and has established himself nicely, and opening the batting is going to be key,” Adams said.
“Two experienced batsmen who can bat for long periods. So once they get the new ball away, the guys can come in and build on that.”
Experienced batsman Justin Ontong is out with a split webbing on his hand, and may be sidelined for another two weeks.
Rory Kleinveldt has returned from England after starring for Northamptonshire in county cricket, but Adams said that with Proteas star Vernon Philander available, “we want guys to be nice and energised and fresh when they come back into the fold. So we can afford to make sure that Rory gets into a good space again”.
Teams For Wanderers
Highveld Lions (from): Stephen Cook (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Dominic Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Yassar Cook, Wiaan Mulder, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Hardus Viljoen, Nono Pongolo, Sean Jamison, Devon Conway, Matt McGillivray.
Cape Cobras (likely): Andrew Puttick, Omphile Ramela (captain), Stiaan van Zyl, Zubayr Hamza, Dane Vilas, Jason Smith, Aviwe Mgijima, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dane Paterson, Tshepo Moreki.
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Independent Media