Morne Morkel Joins Surrey as Kolpak Player

South African pacer Morne Morkel is all set to join Surrey as a Kolpak player for the coming county season.

The right-arm pacer had announced his retirement from international cricket before the start of the ongoing Tests series against Australia.

There were hopes that he will soon take the Kolpak route and now, it got confirmed that he will play for Surrey.

He will join the long list of players who have signed the Kolpak deal in the past one year.

Morkel is currently playing the fourth and the final Test against Australia but had to leave the field mid-day due to strain.

It is not yet concerned whether he will retake the field in his final Test or not. Morkel recently entered the 300 wickets club during the third Test against Australia.

Morkel is the second player in recent times to take the Kolpak route. Recently, Heino Kuhn, who played four Test matches against England in 2017, joined Kent as Kolpak payer. Morkel will join India captain Virat Kohli in Surrey.

Kohli, though, is yet to confirm the development but it is confirmed he will play for the county.

Morkel will retire from international cricket with 85 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is to his credit. In ODIs, he has 188 wickets while in T20Is, he scalped 47 wickets.

Morkel’s exit from South Africa’s pace attack is all set to open the doors for Dale Steyn, who will fill in the experience in the side. He is also expected to join county club (Hampshire) as an overseas player.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Test match between Australia and South Africa has been stopped due to poor light and drizzle.

South Africa are currently leading by 410 runs with a play of more than five sessions remaining. There is no clarity whether Morkel will be available to bowl in the final innings or not.

South Africa would need his services in the last innings to win the Test match. The hosts are currently leading in the series by a margin of 2-1