Morne Morkel, the towering fast bowler from South Africa, is a true force to be reckoned with on the cricket field. Standing at an impressive height of 1.96 metres, Morkel’s towering stature enables him to generate steepling and deceptive bounce that keeps batsmen on their toes. Known for his combination of blistering speed and skill, Morkel has been an integral part of South Africa’s formidable pace attack.
Born into a family of cricketers, Morkel is the son of Albert and the brother of Malan and Albie, all of whom have made a mark in the cricketing world. However, it is Morne Morkel who has undoubtedly emerged as the most successful sportsman in his family. Throughout his career, Morkel has consistently ranked in the ICC’s top 10 bowlers in all formats of the game, and even held the coveted No. 1 spot in ODIs for a period in 2011.
Morkel burst onto the scene in the 2006-07 season, catching the attention of selectors with a remarkable performance for the Rest of South Africa side against the touring Indians. His impressive figures of 4 for 74 on a notoriously flat pitch earned him a Test call-up, and he made his debut in that series. As he continued to establish himself in international cricket, Morkel proved his worth with standout performances, including being the joint leading wicket-taker on South Africa’s tour of England in 2008.
In 2010, Morkel had a standout year, taking a career-high 49 wickets in Test matches. The following year, he had great success in ODIs, taking 26 wickets at an average of 17.65 in three series, which included the World Cup. Despite facing stiff competition within the South African bowling lineup, Morkel continued to make significant contributions to the team’s success. He played a vital role in South Africa claiming the Test mace from England in 2012 and was the top wicket-taker during their tour to Australia.
One of Morkel’s notable achievements is his dominance over some of the world’s best batsmen. He holds the record for dismissing Michael Hussey eight times, an impressive feat. Additionally, he has claimed the wicket of Andrew Strauss on eight occasions, being one of only two bowlers to achieve such a feat.
While Morkel found the subcontinent conditions more challenging, he displayed great skill development during South Africa’s 2015 tour of India. In the absence of key bowlers, Morkel took charge of the attack and showcased his ability to generate reverse-swing, providing a silver lining for South Africa in an otherwise disappointing series.
With Test cricket remaining a top priority for Morkel, his limited-overs career has seen careful management, with his inclusion in bilateral series often reserved for major tournaments. Nevertheless, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in the 2015 World Cup, highlighting his importance to the team across all formats of the game.
Morkel also had a successful stint in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he showcased his skills and contributed significantly to their triumph in the 2014 edition. However, his exclusion from South Africa’s 2016 World T20 squad was a disappointment for the pacer.
Throughout his career, Morne Morkel has proven himself to be a formidable force in international cricket. His ability to generate bounce, generate lightning-fast deliveries, and consistently take wickets make him a key player in South Africa’s pace attack. With his unwavering dedication and talent, Morkel has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the cricketing world.