Paul Adams has stepped down as coach of the Cobras, effective from January 1. 

The ex-Proteas spinner will take up the new position of Western Cape Cricket high-performance manager and coach. According to capecobras.co.za, the role will entail him identifying and monitoring future players, working closely with WP, Boland and South Western District and reporting back to his successor at the franchise.

Ashwell Prince will be the caretaker head coach until the end of the 2016/2017 campaign, with Faiek Davids as his assistant.

The coach’s past year has been marred by a dispute with his senior players in which a strike was at one time threatened.

Several senior Cobras players complained to the management about what they believed was a lack of tactical acumen on Adams’ part, and although Adams underwent management courses the players  filed a formal grievance on May 10, after learning that Adams had been offered a contract extension.

The Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the players the right to strike but they did not act on it. Two senior players, Omphile Ramala and Dane Piedt were loaned out.

WCC CEO Nabeel Dien said these high-performance plans have been in the making for several years and that it is crucial to the development and stability of the Cobras. He said the decision for Adams to step down was by mutual consent and that it was the ideal time for the change to take place.

‘Helping the team to succeed in ways which led to a number of trophies and getting players going up to the Proteas was a very satisfying part of my five-season journey as Cobras’ coach,’ said Adams.

‘I am looking forward very much to my new role,’ he concluded.