Morne Morkel to join Surrey on Kolpak deal

South African bowling spearhead Morne Morkel is all set to join English county side Surrey on a Kolpak contract this summer. The 33-year-old speedster will be retiring from international cricket after the conclusion of the ongoing series again Australia. In late February this year, he announced that he was quitting all forms of international cricket, citing family pressures, but made clear that he was not finished with the game.

Morkel’s addition will provide a major boost to Surrey’s hopes of winning their first County ­Championship title since 2002. The speedster, who recently claimed his 300th Test wicket, is currently ranked the world’s sixth-best Test bowler and will bring in a lot of experience into the squad. The addition of Morkel’s pace and bounce will strengthen Surrey’s squad hugely coupled with the presence of the Curran brothers, Tom and Sam.

According to Telegraph, Morkel will be joining the likes of Durban-born Jason Roy at the Kia Oval when the County Championship begins for Surrey on 20 April against Hampshire, where he will be bowling to Hashim Amla, their overseas player, as well as Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw, who took Kolpak deals last year.

Surrey will get Tom Curran for fewer games

However, it is understood that Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders are in advanced ­talks with Tom to rope in his services for the upcoming edition in a bid to replace the injured Mitchell Starc. If he goes to the IPL, he would miss Surrey’s first four Championship games, and the start of their Royal London Cup ­campaign. He has been identified by Kolkata for his prowess bowling at the end of the innings in T20.

Thus if Tom indeed leaves, Surrey will get his services for fewer games implying Morkel to lead the bowling attack from the front as Surrey aims to win the title after a wait of 15 years.