Another blow for Cobras as Dawson quits
A SEASON fast disintegrating into absolute chaos at Newlands due to the ongoing saga surrounding Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams has produced its first casualty – Alan Dawson has quit as franchise selection convener with immediate effect.
Dawson, who only started his job at the beginning of the season, believes the situation at the Cobras has made his position untenable.
“I feel like no matter what team I select, it’s not going to make a difference. I don’t feel like I can make a contribution,” Dawson said yesterday.
“I used the saying yesterday to Nabeal Dien (Cobras chief executive) that I feel like an Elastoplast on a boil, and that no matter what the plaster does, it still won’t cure the boil. It has to be cured from the inside. The time has come to make proper cricket calls. I can’t work in that environment.”
The issue surrounding Adams and several aggrieved Cobras players escalated last month when “frank views” were aired at the Council for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The CCMA recommended that an independent assessor be appointed to look at Adams’ role as head coach after several Cobras players, through the South African Cricketers’ Association (Saca), took their grievances to the body after the Western Cape Cricket executive board failed to resolve long-standing camp.
This off-field drama has caused much upheaval on the field too, with the Cobras languishing in last place on the Sunfoil Series log after four matches. They are the only team yet to win a match at this stage of the competition, with the latest defeat coming by an innings and 50 runs against the Titans last weekend at Newlands.
To compound matters the Cobras have also had captain Omphile Ramela suspended for this week’s clash against the Dolphins after he was found guilty of breaching the Cricket SA Code of Conduct in an earlier game.
The Cobras have since made several changes for the match starting in Paarl tomorrow, with former South Africa U-19 all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem being handed a franchise issues in the debut alongside his WP teammate Pieter Malan. Boland rookies Cebo Tshiki and Keegan Petersen have also been selected, with Justin Ontong taking over the captaincy in the absence of Ramela.
Dawson says he hopes the players, especially the youngsters, would be able to put aside the off-field issues and concentrate on their games, but believed this was not simply a case of changing the players (and getting immediate results).
“I’ve been involved for about two to three months and I’ve tried to find solutions and to ascertain where the real problem lies. I sought counsel from all over... current players, ex-players, administrators, selectors. Before I started I was told there were a few little issues between the players and the coach, but that was a lie,” Dawson said.