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Could give us hell before he goes:
http://www.news.com.au/sport/sports...e/news-story/f02587c5566bef64ae4464189da75a9a
Morne Morkel to retire from all forms of international cricket to be with Aussie wife
FEBRUARY 27, 201810:16am
Ben Waterworth
CHAMPION South African bowler Morne Morkel has sensationally announced that he will retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of his country’s upcoming Test series against Australia.
The 33-year-old’s decision comes a shock to many in the cricket community, after a stellar 2017 calendar year for the Proteas that saw him take 39 Test wickets — his highest haul since 2010.
But Morkel, who enters the four-match series starting Thursday with the fourth-most Test wickets ever taken by a South African bowler, confirmed to reporters on Monday night (AEDT) that it was a family-first decision.
“It was an extremely tough decision but I feel the time is right to start a new chapter,” Morkel said.
“I have a young family and a foreign wife and the current demanding international schedule has put a lot of strain us. I have to put them first and this decision will only benefit us going forward.”
Morkel’s Australian partner, Roz Kelly, has been heading up Channel 10’s Big Bash League coverage over the past couple of seasons.
Morkel’s decision comes a week after foxsports.com.au reported that BBL club Brisbane Heat was ready to make a big play for giant Protea.
He insisted on Monday he hadn’t signed any deal yet, but admitted he still feels “there is a lot of cricket left in me”.
“I have loved every minute that I have played in the Proteas jersey and I am incredibly grateful to my teammates, Cricket South Africa and my family and friends for the support over the years,” Morkel said.
“I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in me and I am excited for what lies ahead. For now, all of my energy and focus is on helping the Proteas win the upcoming series against Australia.”
Morkel’s pace and bounce struck fear into the hearts of many world-class batsmen, taking 294 wickets at 28.08 across 83 Tests. If he takes at least six wickets against the Aussies during the upcoming series, he’ll become just the six South African bowler to take 300 Test wickets after Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald.
Across all three formats, Morkel has an impressive total tally of 529 wickets.
Acting Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe said Morkel was part of a “golden era” of fast bowlers that helped make the outfit so successful and respected.
“Being a champion fast bowler is one of the most difficult professions in the sporting world,” Moroe said.
“It requires tremendous skill, dedication and perseverance and, by no means the least, the courage to bowl through the pain barrier at times. Those are characteristics Morne has shown throughout his career.
“Lastly, on behalf of the South African cricket family, our stakeholders and fans around the world, we thank Morne for being both a fine player and an outstanding role model who has made our country proud.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/sports...e/news-story/f02587c5566bef64ae4464189da75a9a
Morne Morkel to retire from all forms of international cricket to be with Aussie wife
FEBRUARY 27, 201810:16am
Ben Waterworth
CHAMPION South African bowler Morne Morkel has sensationally announced that he will retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of his country’s upcoming Test series against Australia.
The 33-year-old’s decision comes a shock to many in the cricket community, after a stellar 2017 calendar year for the Proteas that saw him take 39 Test wickets — his highest haul since 2010.
But Morkel, who enters the four-match series starting Thursday with the fourth-most Test wickets ever taken by a South African bowler, confirmed to reporters on Monday night (AEDT) that it was a family-first decision.
“It was an extremely tough decision but I feel the time is right to start a new chapter,” Morkel said.
“I have a young family and a foreign wife and the current demanding international schedule has put a lot of strain us. I have to put them first and this decision will only benefit us going forward.”
Morkel’s Australian partner, Roz Kelly, has been heading up Channel 10’s Big Bash League coverage over the past couple of seasons.
Morkel’s decision comes a week after foxsports.com.au reported that BBL club Brisbane Heat was ready to make a big play for giant Protea.
He insisted on Monday he hadn’t signed any deal yet, but admitted he still feels “there is a lot of cricket left in me”.
“I have loved every minute that I have played in the Proteas jersey and I am incredibly grateful to my teammates, Cricket South Africa and my family and friends for the support over the years,” Morkel said.
“I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in me and I am excited for what lies ahead. For now, all of my energy and focus is on helping the Proteas win the upcoming series against Australia.”
Morkel’s pace and bounce struck fear into the hearts of many world-class batsmen, taking 294 wickets at 28.08 across 83 Tests. If he takes at least six wickets against the Aussies during the upcoming series, he’ll become just the six South African bowler to take 300 Test wickets after Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald.
Across all three formats, Morkel has an impressive total tally of 529 wickets.
Acting Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe said Morkel was part of a “golden era” of fast bowlers that helped make the outfit so successful and respected.
“Being a champion fast bowler is one of the most difficult professions in the sporting world,” Moroe said.
“It requires tremendous skill, dedication and perseverance and, by no means the least, the courage to bowl through the pain barrier at times. Those are characteristics Morne has shown throughout his career.
“Lastly, on behalf of the South African cricket family, our stakeholders and fans around the world, we thank Morne for being both a fine player and an outstanding role model who has made our country proud.”
