Respecting each other is ‘very important’
THE Cape Cobras unveiled toporder batsman Omphile Ramela as their new Sunfoil Series captain at Newlands yesterday.
Cricket writer ZAAHIER ADAMS caught up with the new Cobras skipper…
1 Is there extra pressure in leading a team with such a big reputation of success as the Cape Cobras?
I think so. Success is an instant expectation. People expect us to win the four-day competition. Moreover, because we have been so dominant in this competition, and because of last year’s slip up, it puts the pressure back on us to win it back. 2 In a recent interview, you were fairly outspoken about the inequalities young black African cricketers face in carving out a career. Do you believe now that you’re in a leadership position you are able to change things?
Even when I was being outspoken, it was a way to reach out. Trying to change things, trying to contribute in a meaningful way. I think now that I have the responsibility of creating measurement instruments in the spaces so that I can also be judged on whether I made a difference or not. 3 Having enjoyed a successful tour to India with the SA A team, how close do you think you are to Proteas selection?
I don’t even know how close I am to the national side. I think we have a terrific national side. I don’t even know who I would replace if I was to
‘Like 0.5 percent of our population’ be selected.
At the moment I just want to bulk up the runs for the Cobras. If I can do that, it’s for Linda Zondi (national convenor of selectors) to deal with. That’s his headache. 4 Will it be an emotional moment when you spin the coin at Newlands for the first time?
I think particularly at Newlands. It is an iconic stadium. I think everyone wants to beat the Cobras at Newlands. It is always an emotional place whenever you play here. It will be more emotional when we win our first game with me being there. 5 What do you believe is the biggest challenge you face this coming season?
It is definitely management. You have to manage people. The Cobras is not a franchise where you are developing players. These guys are readymade, quality players. It is your ability to manage them and get the best out of them. The biggest challenge for me is how I manage them effectively and how I allow them to be superstars and unleash their natural talent and flair. 6 You had a close look at the emerging talent in the Western Province region last weekend in the Africa T20 Cup. What were your impressions?
The Cobras always have an enormous amount of talent bubbling under. In fact, overflowing actually. I was impressed with (Zubayr) Hamza, (Dayyaan) Galiem and Emmanuel Sebareme. They made really good claims for themselves in a short space of time.
Obviously it might be a bit early to say anything big, but it was a really good outing for them. We didn’t have a particularly good weekend, no thanks to my catching. I was terrible in the field. 7 Have you had any planning meetings with coach Paul Adams yet?
We have had a few meetings about what we’re trying to do in the four-day competition. The big thing we spoke about is how we going to manage this group of players. We have almost 14 players that have played international cricket.
That is going to be the hard part. How do we earn the players’ trust as a leadership group, that is the big thing when you have such abundance of talent brimming. 8 The Cobras have had a fractious dressingroom in the past. Do you believe you can bring the team together?
Those things take time. I think we took a major step in the right direction on Tuesday morning. We had a big meeting with all the players where we started to try and create that space. Those are difficult things that come with time.
The important thing is to have a co-operative dressingroom where we understand each player’s space. You don’t have to be friends off the field, but when it comes to the workspace, we have to get to a place where we respect each other’s skills and abilities. Respecting each other as people is also very important. Once we can get that right, the Cobras’ will be unstoppable. 9 Your high work-ethic is one of your great attributes. Are you hoping this rubs off on especially the younger Cobras players?
You have to prepare very well. If you’re not Herschelle Gibbs, then you have to be preparing every day. And Herschelle is like 0.5 percent of our population. The rest of us have to get up and put in the hard graft and get our ducks in a row. 10 Did you ever think while growing up that you would lead a franchise and has the importance of the position sunk in yet?
No! Never! I never really thought of it. I don’t even get it in its entirety just yet. At the moment I just see as a natural progression, having led Maties, Boland and WP previously. Maybe it will start to sink in as the season progresses.