Former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel has signed up for Brisbane Heat as a local Australian player for the upcoming 10th edition of the Big Bash League 2020.
Morkel is now an Australian resident after gaining permanent residency since his wife Roz Kelly, a sports broadcaster, is an Australian and they have two children and they reside in Sydney having retired from international cricket in 2018.
In the last BBL season, the fast-bowler was a replacement international player for the Perth Scorchers in 2019. He has now signed with the Heat for the full season after gaining permanent residency.
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Apart from 544 international wickets, Morkel also has 77 wickets in 70 games in the Indian Premier League, while he has also played for Tshwane Spartans as a domestic South African and Surrey under the Kolpak system but last week canceled the deal to be with his family in Australia.
Announcing Morkel’s signing, the club said in a statement on Friday (November 6): “The Brisbane Heat have welcomed the recruitment of one of the most experienced 'local' players in their history for the coming Big Bash League this summer.”
Meanwhile, Morkel stated: “I am still enjoying my cricket enormously and the chance to be part of the Heat squad is something I am keen to experience. I admit it will be a bit unusual to call myself a local, but we are enjoying living and working here and this is another aspect of our lives that I am looking forward to being a part of.”
On the other hand, Heat coach Darren Lehmann is eager to see Morkel in action for the franchise in the BBL 2020-2021 starting on 10 December.
Lehmann signed off by saying, “I consider his best bowling efforts came as he got older. His control and skill with the ball were his trademarks so it will be great to introduce him into our group.”
(With AFP Inputs)
