Left-hander Adams comes home to Cape Cobras

Qaasim Adams stops the ball while fielding for the Titans in the 2016 Sunfoil Series. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Qaasim Adams stops the ball while fielding for the Titans in the 2016 Sunfoil Series. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Apr 20, 2017

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CAPE TOWN – Former Titans left-handed batsman Qaasim Adams has returned home to the Cape Cobras.

Adams was one of the new names announced by the Cape Cobras on Thursday in their franchise professional squad for the 2017/18 season.

The experienced 32-year-old was born and bred in Cape Town, but never received a proper opportunity to establish himself at franchise level with the Cobras.

Having represented the Western Province team in 2005 already, powerful middle-order batsman Adams packed his bags for Centurion and the Titans in 2013 and he achieved great success and eventually earned a South Africa A call-up.

But things have gone south for Adams at the Titans since the arrival of Mark Boucher as the head coach at the beginning of last season, and Adams was largely out of the mix despite boasting a first-class average of 41.60 and a List A figure of 38.14.

A hard hitter of the ball, Adams went on loan to the Lions last season and impressed again, and in the closing stages returned to play semi-professional cricket for Northerns, where he scored a double hundred and another century.

Adams’ homecoming is part of the Cobras’ quest to rejuvenate the team after a difficult 2016/17 campaign, and coach Ashwell Prince and his management included a number of fresh faces in next season’s pro squad.

SA Under-19 allrounder Dayyaan Galiem is amongst them, while opener Pieter Malan has finally been rewarded for years of top performances with a franchise contract.

Malan, who hails from Northerns, scored 1 069 runs at an average of 118.77 for WP last season, and will provide solidity at the top of the order alongside veteran Andrew Puttick.

Cobras player of the year Aviwe Mgijima will also hope to get greater support in the middle-order next season, where youngsters such as Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne and Zubayr Hamza are all contracted.

“I believe our senior players will not only perform to propel the Cobras back to the summit of the log. They will also serve as enthusiastic and selfless mentors to these young players. I’m indebted to Puttick, Ontong and Van Zyl for sharing their rich international knowledge with the emerging stars,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras.

Former Proteas paceman Rory Kleinveldt is not among the contracted group, but the Cobras stated that the 34-year-old will serve as a “bowling consultant and still perform on a pay-for-play basis”.

Cape Cobras professional squad:

Qaasim Adams, Dayyaan Galiem, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Khomari, Richard Levi, George Linde, Pieter Malan, Aviwe Mgijima, Tshepo Moreki, Justin Ontong, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Andrew Puttick, Jason Smith, Stiaan van Zyl, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.

Semi-professional players: Neo Mlumbi, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Mpilo Njoloza, Matthew Kleinveldt, Michael Cohen, Taariq Chiecktey, Junaid Dawood.

IOL

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