Morne Morkel rubbishes Kolpak deal, eyes 2019 World Cup spot

South African seamer Morne Morkel is all geared up to find his place in SA’s 2019 World Cup team after he rubbished all impending speculations about him signing the Kolpak contract with an English county next year. Morkel has been one of the most impressive bowlers for the Proteas ever since he made a comeback to the national team in March after a back injury. And thus with his future uncertain, reports emerged in August linking him with a Kolpak deal.

Those concerns escalated 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. However, coach Ottis Gibson has rubbished the rumors and said that the two had a word and there could be a probable place in the squad for him for the 2019 World Cup. And last night, 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.

Morkel is expected to return to action in November

Speaking to the media, Gibson revealed, “I have had discussions with Morne. He is pretty committed to the Proteas over the next couple of years.”

“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,” he added.

The 33-year-old is expected to 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. The news comes as a major boost to the Proteas, especially after they have already missed the services of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada in recent times.