Former Proteas allrounder Albie Morkel announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday, ending a professional career that started at the turn of the century.
Morkel played in one Test, 58 ODIs and 50 T20Is for the Proteas scoring 1412 runs and picking up 77 wickets across all three formats.
He achieved much of his success as a T20 specialist and was an IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings. He took 91 wickets making him the third-highest wicket-taker for the Super Kings in IPL history.
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Morkel captained the Titans to a hat-trick of T20 titles from 2015-16 to 2017-18. His big-hitting abilities and smart medium-pace led to a surprise recall to the South Africa squad for the World T20 in 2014 after he thought his international career was over.
The allrounder is eet to take up a consusltant coach role with the Namibia national team from January 2019.
“Time has run out for me on the cricket field, and I would like to announce my retirement from the game.” Morkel said in a press release issued by the Titans. “The last 20 years of my life took me on an incredible journey, with so many awesome memories that I will cherish forever.”
It feels like yesterday we were 2 boys dreaming in the backyard about the game we love!! Well done on a magnificent career…proud to call you my brother!! @albiemorkel ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zI4McvGpDB
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) January 9, 2019
Titans’ chief executive officer Dr Jacques Faul said a farewell match had been planned. “He deserves a send-off, and also a chance for the Titans fans to say a fond farewell. It wasn’t just for Titans that he was a massive player, because he also served the Proteas with distinction.”
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Morkel began his domestic career in the 1999-2000 season and would step up to to international cricket in 2004. He represented eight teams abroad in the shape of CSK, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rising Pune Supergiant, Derbyshire, Durham, Somerset and St Lucia Zouks and skippered the Titans and the Mzansi Super League franchise the Durban Heat.
“I would like to thank Jacques Faul and everyone involved at the Titans for giving me the opportunity to live my dream,” he said. “The squad is in a healthy state and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress that the younger players will make. I will forever be a big Titans fan.”
” I want to say a big thanks to Cricket South Africa, because it was a huge honour to represent my country. Thank you to my family, friends, supporters and sponsors who were there for me through thick and thin, and most importantly my wife who played an unbelievable supporting role, allowing me to do what I love.
“Professional sport can be a ruthless space to operate in, and it’s impossible to do it without a solid support system. Thank you so much.”
