In a huge respite for South Africa cricket, fast-bowler Morne Morkel has ended all speculations regarding a Kolpak deal, thus committing his future to the Proteas.
Speculations were surrounding the 33-year old’s future with several reports suggesting that the pacer was eyeing a lucrative deal from one of the English counties next year. It garnered more speculations last month when Morkel himself said that he is weighing his career in limited-overs cricket, stating that he would seek assurances from new coach Ottis Gibson over his involvement in the 2019 World Cup.
“I am 32 and it is one of the conversations I am going to have with Ottis to find out where I fit in with white-ball cricket, and if there are any plans for me in 2019,” he had said before adding: “Are they going to look to rebuild for the World Cup? I need to see what is going to happen. Am I going to miss out? I don’t know when they are going to make the shift of bringing in younger players‚ those are all the things that must be communicated.”
Morkel’s apprehensions arose in the wake of a potentially career-threatening back problem due to which he had not played any One-Day International for around a year before turning up in the Champions Trophy. He also missed the recently-concluded series against Bangladesh after suffering a grade-two tear of the left abdominal oblique muscle.
Well, Gibson has now himself ended all the speculations, saying that he has had discussions with the fast-bowler and made it clear that the star bowler is ‘pretty committed to the Proteas over the next couple of years’ which effectively puts him in contention for the 2019 World Cup.
“I have had discussions with Morne. He is pretty committed to the Proteas over the next couple of years,” said Gibson. “Obviously the World Cup is a big thing. He is well aware that there can be no guarantees with regards to that. When it comes to 2019 it will be form, fitness, conditions, that sort of thing. We had a good, honest discussion and he has committed his future to us over the next couple of years.”
The news meanwhile, will be a big boost for the Proteas who will be facing world number one India in a three-Test series early next year. Morkel has been South Africa’s standout bowler since returning from injury, taking 34 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 25.
Video of the day: