Cape Cobras coach Paul Adams has urged young cricketers in the Western Cape to remain patient and have faith in the system after Hashim Amla joined the galaxy of Proteas superstars at Newlands yesterday.
Amla, the World’s No 1 Test and ODI batsman is – besides his obvious majestic playing ability – a massive marketing coup for the Cobras, who already boast the likes of Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, Robin Peterson, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and Vernon Philander on their books.
Western Cape Cricket chairman Beresford Williams stressed yesterday that the Cobras did not lure Amla, for so long a part of the Dolphins and Durban psyche. However, it is known that the Cobras have been campaigning vigorously behind closed doors in the transfer market during the off-season.
There have been other marquee signings lined up like Wayne Parnell (Proteas and Warriors left-armer) and Ryan McLaren (Proteas and Knights all-rounder), while fellow Proteas stars such as Morné Morkel and Faf du Plessis have all indicated a desire to nestle at the foot of Table Mountain.
None of these deals have materialised, though, with Parnell’s agent, Donné Commins, and McLaren’s advisor, Arthur Turner, confirming to the Cape Times yesterday that their respective clients will remain with their current franchises. Morkel and Du Plessis will in all likelihood move south, but continue to play for the Titans, especially with the Centurion-based side qualifying for the Champions League T20.
With the Cobras, and more specifically Cape Town being very much in vogue with the national cricket side at the moment due to its aesthetic beauty and off-field pleasures, there is a growing concern that local players may have limited gametime and leave their home city for better opportunities. An example is Qaasim Adams, who has joined the Titans on a two-year contract.
Coach Adams counters this with the claim that the majority of his planning for the season is done without the Proteas, and that he relies on a core group of regulars. Test captain Smith did not play a single game for the Cobras last season, while Steyn could only don the blue pyjamas in the 1-Day Cup playoffs due to national commitments and rest requirements.
“Hashim is the perfect guy to have in any team. We understand that Hashim will not play a lot of games for us, but he adds depth and aura to a brand that we want to make the best. When you play here, there are always going to be national players coming and going.
“This is a big franchise, and it has always been like this, even when I was playing here. There was constant movement between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides and guys learn to deal with these things and to make the most of their opportunities,” Adams said.
“But there is also a big focus on developing local talent here in the Western Cape. We have one of the biggest catchment areas and we want to produce local players like we always have, and we saw last season how young guys like Beuran Hendricks and Lizaad Williams flourished with consistent gametime.”
Adams believes Amla, the holder of South Africa’s record Test score of 311 not out against England at the Oval last year, may make an even bigger contribution to Western Cape cricket than the runs he scores when he eventually does get out on the park for the Cobras.
“I haven’t had a chance to sit down with Hashim yet, but our discussions will revolve a lot around what he wants from us, and what he can give us in return. And the person that Hashim is, very honest and open, I am sure we will get to the point where the transition is a very smooth one. I am sure if he is around, he could possibly do a lot of good work with the young batsmen that we have like Stiaan van Zyl, Richard Levi and Yaseen Vallie ... just like JP Duminy has done over the last season while he has been injured.”
Amla released a prepared statement yesterday, wishing to clear up any rumours that he left KwaZulu-Natal under a cloud or with any animosity towards the Dolphins, who have nurtured him since he was a surf-loving schoolboy at Durban High School.
“I must stress that this was a difficult decision for me, but I have decided to pursue my domestic career with the Cape Cobras, and I am looking forward to joining a team that has as rich a tradition as the Dolphins. I’m extremely excited about the future and look forward to making many new friends in the Western Cape.”
Dale Steyn wasted no time in welcoming his national team mate to the Cobras by tweeting:
Dale Steyn @DaleSteyn62
Just wana welcome the mighty # to the Cape Cobras! Cape Town loves u bud! @amlahash - Cape Times