Retired Morkel signs Kolpak deal
The former Proteas and Titans bowler will play cricket in England.
Former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel has signed for English county club Surrey on a two-year contract.
The club announced on Tuesday that the 33-year-old had penned down a Kolpak deal, which would see him playing county cricket for the next two years.
By doing that, he would be ineligible to represent his country should he decide to overturn his decision to retire from international cricket.
Morkel recently concluded his international career after helping the Proteas beat Australia 3-1 in the test series played on local soil.
He finished his test career with 309 wickets from 86 test matches.
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Morkel will be available for Surrey in all forms of the game until the end of the 2019 English season.
In a club statement, Morkel said he was looking forward to his journey at Surrey.
“It is a real honour that Surrey has asked me to join their club after my retirement from international cricket.
“I have fond memories of playing at the Kia Oval and am looking forward to settling in London with my family for the summer, making new friendships with teammates and hopefully great memories on and off the field,” he said.
Morkel was welcomed by former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart, who is now the director of cricket at the club.
“Following his retirement from international cricket, I am very pleased that Morne has signed for Surrey for at least the next two years. He has had an outstanding career with South Africa and is a player that will add enormous strength and experience to our squad.
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“His appetite to continue playing and most importantly performing was very evident from our very first conversation,” Stewart said.
He said Morkel had set high standards for himself and for young bowlers.
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