The Cape Cobras have ended all-rounder Wayne Parnell’s contract. The ties were cut after Parnell signed a Kolpak contract.

Brand activation and sponsorship manager David Brooke has since confirmed to SA Cricket magazine, ‘no one will be replacing Parnell on the Cobras’ contract list at the moment. We will advise if anything changes.’

Parnell’s exit means…

Experienced and inexperienced must pull together

More than 12 years of first-class and List A experience leaves with Parnell. Andrew Puttick is gone, too. Parnell’s ability and willingness to mentor younger players was evident during Worcestershire’s T20 Blast campaign. Puttick spoke volumes of the need for veterans to impart wisdom on new recruits prior to retirement. Coach Ashwell Prince demands the same and needs the likes of Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Piedt to ensure the void left by Parnell’s departure doesn’t have a negative impact.

More responsibility for Dayyaan Galiem

The young all-rounder was effectively playing in the shadow of Parnell. In and out of the squad when Parnell was or wasn’t around, Galiem will now be afforded the opportunity to leave humble Western Province beginnings behind and press to become a relatively permanent fixture in the Cobras XI.

Jason Smith will be empowered

Another talented all-rounder at the Cape Town franchise’s disposal, Smith hasn’t yet quite lived up to the big billing once lauded over a burgeoning career. The Cobras could deploy him in a floating role with the bat in limited-overs cricket, like Parnell and the hard-hitting George Linde have done on occasion.

Ferisco Adams gets some leeway

The Boland star has graduated to the franchise fold on the back of a string of solid performances at provincial level. His prowess with bat and ball were on display at the recent Africa T20 Cup. Parnell’s departure will effectively force the Cobras to persist with Adams, almost regardless of form, especially if Smith and Galiem are not delivering on cue.

The ajar door is widening for Michael Cohen

Parnell was the only left-arm seamer in the list of contracted players. The 20-player collective is rife with right-armers: Lizaad Williams, Dane Paterson, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Rory Kleinveldt, Tladi Bokako and others. This lack of variety could prove limiting, unless Cohen is returned to the XI. The southpaw seamer relished intermittent appearances for the Cobras last season, but was the mainstay of the Western Province attack throughout.

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