While controversies took centre-stage in the ongoing series between South Africa and Australia, South African speedster, Morne Morkel quietly reached the 300-Test wicket milestone in his final series for South Africa.

For a large proportion of his career, Morkel played the sidekick to the likes of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and now KG Rabada. Morkel’s time arrived at the Cape Town Test where he single-handedly took the Proteas to a massive victory with a nine-wicket haul.

His South African fans took to social media to question whether Morkel took his retirement decision in haste.

However, during the post-match presentation, Morkel claimed there is no going back on his decision.

Sports round-up, Morne Morkel, Australia, South Africa, Cape Town — Morne Morkel’s five-for helped SA take a 2-1 lead over Aus. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“It was very special. I tried to enjoy it as much as possible. It is tough, especially leaving a quality group of men in the changeroom. It’s going to be sad, but all good things come to an end,” said big Morne after taking his side to victory.

An emotional South African captain, Faf du Plessis, celebrated Morkel’s achievements by expressing his hard work goes unnoticed, as he had to remain contended with his two/three-wicket hauls.

SA vs AUS 2018: Emotional Faf du Plessis Bids Adieu to his 'Able Sidekick' Morne Morkel 1 — Morkel ripped through the Aussie lineup at Newlands.

“There’s a lot of good stuff that has been said over the last while about Morne. Morne has been – for the first six-eight years of his career – the guy who went unnoticed. He was the workhorse. He got his two- or three-fors,” stated Faf du Plessis according to Iol.

Faf later tagged Morkel as a ‘captain’s dream’ and the one who always does the donkey work.

“Morne does the donkey work and runs in all day. He never says he’s bowled enough. You tell him that he’s bowled enough but still, he wants to bowl more. That’s a captain’s dream,” Faf says.

SA vs AUS 2018: Emotional Faf du Plessis Bids Adieu to his 'Able Sidekick' Morne Morkel 2 — Du Plessis and Morkel have shared the South African dressing room for almost a decade. Credits: Timeslive.

The South African captain concluded by saying the team shall miss his presence in the future even though the pace battery is secured with the likes of Ngidi, Morris and Olivier in the ranks.

“He’s going to be missed in our team. He’s been almost the mother figure in the team with a big heart. We’re going to miss that. We understand his decision (to retire). It’s a decision for his future and his family so he knows the team backs him up 100%,” concluded Faf du Plessis.

Here are some of the other reactions

Couldn’t be more happy for this man! Great achievement bud, I just wish I was on the field to celebrate it with you. #300 club
Still a big few days to go, but tonight it’s all about this man ??? @mornemorkel65 pic.twitter.com/JYSh0YcaUa

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 23, 2018

Congrats @mornemorkel65 on his 300th test wicket and the Man of the Match performance. A team man if there ever was one! So happy ?

— hashim amla (@amlahash) March 25, 2018

Such a shame this series is tarnished in controversy .. Tremendous players on show and a great man @mornemorkel65 playing his last Test at Newlands .. #SAvAUS

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 25, 2018