that game, which was buffeted by Hurricane Matthew.EVANS EFFICIENCY: Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans leads the ACC in passing efficiency, having thrown 15 touchdown passes with one intercepti

With the South African domestic season nine days away, a group of Cobras players will ask the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), a dispute resolution body, to force their employer, Western Cape Cricket Board, (WCC), to remove coach Paul Adams. The players insistence comes after a report by Paddy Upton, who had been appointed a mediator in grievances the group had with Adams, called for coach to stand down. The WCC decided not to implement the findings of Uptons report because it contained material deficiencies.The problem the board found with Paddys report is that not only did he not speak to all of the Cobras contracted players, but he did not even speak to some of the players with problems, an insider told ESPNcricinfo. The report was never intended to be binding; it was merely intended to make recommendations and the board chose not to go with those.While Uptons report has been viewed by both the WCC and the South African Cricketers Association (SACA), who are assisting the aggrieved players in their CCMA case, it has not been made public. Similarly, none of the disgruntled Cobras players has been willing to talk about the reasons for their unhappiness with Adams. However, two players, Cobras limited-overs captain Justin Ontong and left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks, have spoken out in support for Adams.Ontong told Times Media he was disappointed by the way some players had blamed Adams for their lack of success in the 2015-16 season, the first in eight that the franchise went without a trophy. We had a bad season but its also about players taking responsibility for their own performances - we all didnt perform very well. You cant just pass the buck and say the coach was to blame, Ontong said.Hendricks praised Adams ability to get on with the job despite what was brewing behind the scenes. I have to applaud the way he has handled things. He hasnt taken anything to heart? he still carries on with what he needs to do as a coach. Things are really moving forward nicely? even though there are situations happening.ESPNcricinfo understands that Dane Paterson, Zubayr Hamza and Tshepo Moreki are among those in support of Adams while first-class captain Omphile Ramela and internationals Richard Levi and Dane Vilas are part of the group that are unhappy. Their issues with Adams range from his man-management skills to his technical knowledge.While SACA says that 10 players are demanding the implementation of Uptons recommendations, a source at the Cobras said some of those players had retracted their complaints. The problem is that there is a split squad at the moment and you have groups of players who are not talking to each other.That was not the mood when pre-season training began earlier this month and the Cobras squad assembled at Newlands. Then, Adams offered an apology and informed his charges he had undergone extra training in the form of a leadership course over the winter. He asked that they work out their differences in an attempt to get back to winnings ways. Adams also had his management team bolstered by the inclusion of Ashwell Prince as assistance coach and Alan Dawson as selection convener.Adams has been in charge of the Cobras since 2012 and won five trophies in four seasons with the franchise. He has the backing of the board, who offered him a two-year extension to his contract at the end of last season, which has yet to be signed. The contract could be rescinded if the players win their CCMA case. However, the Cobras have indicated that if that happens, they will keep Adams on in some capacity, even if it is at a lower level.The earliest a CCMA decision will take place is at least a month away, which means the season will start with this cloud hanging over the Cobras. For now, the players will take the field when the Cobras season starts next Wednesday with a first-class fixture against the Lions in Johannesburg.This is the second time this year that the CCMA have become involved in cricket matters. In August, Lance Klusener took the Dolphins to the body after his contract was not renewed. Klusener lost the case. Steve Atwater Broncos Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Noah Fant Jersey . 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Halfway through their first seasons at their schools, coaches Justin Fuente of Virginia Tech and Dino Babers of Syracuse are headed in different directions.Fuente seems to have picked up where Frank Beamer left off: the Hokies (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are ranked 17th and lead the Coastal Division going into Saturdays game against the Orange in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2 ACC) has lost four of five and faces three ranked teams in the second half of the season, its chance at the postseason seemingly out of reach already.Theres a long season ahead of us, Fuente said. We can take pride in winning a couple games. Theres nothing wrong with that. But youve got to move past those things.Moving past the Orange once was a struggle when both teams were in the Big East -- they split their 12 meetings before Virginia Tech left for the ACC in 2004. The Orange bolted for the ACC three years ago and this will be the teams first meeting as conference members.The Orange strives to thrive on offense. The Hokies have been dominating opponents with a stifling defense thats become the perfect complement to an efficient offense.Youre talking about a defense thats ranked in the top five, Babers said. And then when you watch the D-linemen redirect and get after the football, these guys are running down screens, wide receiver screens, running back screens from behind, pressuring quarterbacks. Its fun to watch them play, but its not fun to know that youve got to play them.The last time Virginia Tech won in the Carrier Dome was 2000, when quarterback Michael Vick overcame eight sacks by an Orange defense led by Dwight Freeney in a 22-14 victory.Other things to know for Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech:ROLL TECH: The Hokies have had three straight dominant defensive performances -- against East Carolina, Boston College and former No. 17 North Carolina -- outscoring those three foes 137-20. The lone loss under Fuente came against then-No. 17 Tennessee -- a 45-24 setback in the second gaame of the season, played at Bristol Motor Speedway before college footballs largest crowd (156,990).ddddddddddddFive Tech turnovers, all fumbles, spelled doom as Tennessee scored 31 straight points to overcome a 14-0 deficit.I think the Tennessee game was a fairly good wake-up call for us, Fuente said. You dont give yourself a chance to win when you do those types of things. I think that helped us in terms of maybe getting our kids attention a little bit. Now, weve just got to keep it.WIDEOUT WONDER: Syracuses Amba Etta-Tawo is fifth (8.5) in the nation in receptions per game and still leads everybody in receiving yards per game (146) despite coming off his worst showing of a breakout season -- four catches for 34 yards last week in a 28-9 loss at Wake Forest. The Orange failed to score in the second half of that game, which was buffeted by Hurricane Matthew.EVANS EFFICIENCY: Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans leads the ACC in passing efficiency, having thrown 15 touchdown passes with one interception. That one pick came on a pass that hit top receiver Isaiah Ford in the hands, and he juggled it right into the hands of a defender. If the Hokies passing game remains essentially mistake-free, they will be hard to beat.SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE: The Hokies rank second in the FBS in pass defense (132.2 yards per game) and third in total defense (237.6 ypg). Syracuse ranks second in the ACC and 12th nationally in passing offense, averaging 336.3 ypg.THROW IT: Syracuse QB Eric Dungey is second in the league with an average of 314 passing yards per game. He might be third had the Hokies not held No. 3 Mitch Trubisly at UNC to 58 passing yards last week in a 34-3 victory played in a driving rain.---AP Sports Writer Hank Kurz in Virginia contributed.---AP College Football Website: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Kekis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Greek1947 ' ' '