Former South African conditioning coach Paddy Upton has been mediating the Cobras players’ grievances regarding coach Paul Adams.

The Western Cape Cricket Board will meet coach Adams and the players ‘soon’ according to the Cape Cobras, after a mediator report was sent by Upton, who the board appointed to help resolve.

Earlier in the week, Andrew Breetzke of the South Africa Cricketers’ Association told Club Cricket SA: ‘I can confirm that the majority of the contracted Cobras players have lodged a formal grievance with the Cobras. The grievance relates to a material breakdown in their relationship with the coach.

‘A mediator was appointed and a mediation process took place. The mediator submitted a report to us, but we haven’t studied it yet, and will engage with the players once we have studied it.’

Angelo Carolissen, the WCC-board chairman, said the board deeply respect the concerns raised by the players and acknowledge that they are priceless assets to Cape Cobras’ cricket.

Yet, they are also aware of the impressive record of the Cape Cobras under the tutelage of Adams, as the team won two successive Sunfoil Series titles, a Ram Slam T20 Challenge trophy and won or shared the Momentum One Day title three times.

Adams had recently undergone a value-based leadership course during the off-season, which he has successfully completed.

Consequently, the board has resolved to meet with the Cape Cobras contracted players and Adams soon in order to make a more informed decision in the best interest of Western Cape cricket, Carolissen added.

Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images