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Morkel aims to play 2019 WC, ends Kolpak speculation

by Tristan Holme • Last updated on

Morne Morkel cleared the air regarding a Kolpak signing and committed himself to South Africa cricket over the next couple of years. © Getty

Fast bowler Morne Morkel has committed his future to South Africa, ending speculation that he could sign a Kolpak contract with an English county for next year. Morkel's future has been in question since reports emerged in August linking him with a Kolpak deal.

Those concerns were heightened during the opening round of Sunfoil Series fixtures last month, when Morkel indicated that he would seek assurances from new coach Ottis Gibson about 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.

Earlier this month, Gibson revealed that he had not given Morkel any guarantees, but said he did not believe Morkel's earlier comments amounted to an ultimatum.

On Monday (October 30), the West Indian confirmed that further discussions had been held in the past three weeks, and that Morkel intends to stay on with South Africa to fight for a place in the World Cup squad.

"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 will come as a significant boost to South Africa, for whom Morkel has been the form bowler since returning from a long-term back injury in March. In that time he has taken 34 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 25, and was South Africa's most impressive seamer at the Champions Trophy, when he had an economy rate of just 4.35.

His involvement in the recently-concluded tour by Bangladesh was curtailed when he suffered a side strain during the first Test in Potchefstroom and was ruled out for four to six weeks. Morkel should now return to action during the CSA T20 Challenge in November, putting himself in contention for a place in the Test side when South Africa play Zimbabwe on Boxing Day.

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