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Cape Town - Cape Cobras cricketers are not happy with the decision to extend head coach Paul Adams’ contract.
This comes after the Western Cape Cricket (WCC) board on Monday expressed a vote of confidence in Adams as coach.
Adams’ position was scrutinised recently following a complaint instituted against him by a number of players.
An independent panel consisting of Prof William Pick, Prof Cyril O'Connor, Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndugane, Rushdi Magiet and Rev. Courtney Sampson was appointed to address a formal complaint lodged by those players about Adams' performance as coach.
The primary recommendation of the panel was that a mediator be appointed which also was the position of the South African Cricket Players Association representing the players prior to the independent panel’s work.
Paddy Upton, a former member of Gary Kirsten's management team during his tenure as South African coach, was appointed as a mediator. Upton recently submitted his report to the WCC board for consideration. The board found material deficiencies in Upton’s report as he did not fully discharge the mandate given to him to speak to all the contracted players.
But the players are unhappy, and according to Netwerk24, they will meet on Wednesday to discuss their futures.
Tony Irish, CEO of the South African Cricket Players Association and the aggrieved players’ spokesperson, said there was nothing lacking in the report.
“Upton had discussions with a whole group of players, Adams and several board members. He is a world-renowned expert on team dynamics and was named as mediator by the board. The players support this appointment.”
Irish acknowledged that the players were upset about the decision to keep Adams.
“They feel very strongly about the issue and will decide on the way forward,” said Irish.
Angelo Carolissen, chairperson of the WCC-board, commented earlier this week: "We studied the recommendations of the independent panel and the report submitted by Upton. We deeply respect the concerns raised by the players and want to state that they are priceless assets to Cape Cobras’ cricket.
"We will leave no stone unturned in developing the players to become international stars or retain their status as South African icons.
“We have no doubt that he possesses the vision and leadership abilities to propel the Cobras to the summit of all three domestic logs and return them to their trophy-hugging ways. Paul will have the support of a former world-class middle-order batsman Ashwell Prince as assistant coach and the experienced former South African swing bowler Alan Dawson as convenor of the selection committee.
"Apart from these appointments, we are looking to further bolster the support team to serve all the needs of our players.
"We have taken into account that Paul is a young coach and that under his watch the Cape Cobras clinched the Sunfoil Series competition twice, the T20 competition once, and won or shared the One Day Cup competition three times. During the past four seasons, he was short-listed twice as South African domestic coach of the year."
