Morne Morkel says David Warner will light up World Cup

As he considers Australian citizenship and a stint in the Sheffield Shield, former South Africa great Morne Morkel believes David Warner can dominate the World Cup in his international return.

David Warner will be champing at the bit for the World Cup. (Phil Hillyard)

• Outdated MCG wicket set for major makeover
• Heat could be launching pad for Lehmann return

Morne Morkel believes David Warner will make a power-packed re-entry to the world stage as the former South African great outlined his own plans to become domestic cricket’s new Big Bird.

Nearly four decades after Joel Garner destroyed opponents playing for NSW, Morkel is eyeing off a shock twilight stint in Sheffield Shield cricket for the Blues as well as actively chasing a Big Bash League contract — and he’s considering applying for dual-citizenship to do it.

Morne Morkel with wife Roz Kelly and their son Arias after his last test.

Morkel, who has permanently relocated to settle in Manly with wife and Channel 10 presenter Roz Kelly, made a guest appearance bowling to Blues players in the SCG nets on Thursday, bringing him into contact with Warner for the first time since the infamous Test in Cape Town last year.

The pair are old friends from their days playing together in the IPL and despite the ugly feud that erupted between the two camps that culminated in the ball-tampering scandal 12 months ago, Morkel made it clear he remains a big supporter of Warner.

Morkel predicts Warner’s standing as one of the most destructive matchwinners in world cricket will be instantly reinstated upon his much-anticipated return at the World Cup.

David Warner will be champing at the bit for the World Cup. (Phil Hillyard)

“For sure. He is a world class player. Especially bowling against him, as a bowler I always felt under pressure,” said Morkel.

“You needed to be on the money from the word go and they’re the sort of guys you want in your team.

“Players who have that x-factor to take the game away from you. There’s no doubt in my mind that when he’s fit and ready he will be back (doing that) for Australia.

“It’ll add a bit of spice to the World Cup … and it’ll be great to see him and Steve (Smith) play and will be great for Australia as well.”

Morkel and Warner are old mates. (Daniel Wilkins)

NSW are firing towards a final berth in the Shield after their last-start win over Western Australia and could start to push for hosting honours if they can topple Queensland at the Gabba starting on Sunday.

Morkel, 33, is preparing to begin a five-month stint with English county side Surrey on Thursday charged in at the Blues batsmen, and on Friday will address the NSW fast bowlers in a mentoring role.

However, the bigger picture for Morkel is landing a BBL deal in Sydney and more surprisingly, potentially attempting to join the likes of Garner, Michael Holding and Richard Hadlee as fast bowling greats to grace the fields of the Sheffield Shield.

Morkel might give a little back to Australia cricket this time. (AFP Photo/Gianluigi Guercia)

If the Pretoria born and raised Morkel chooses to apply for dual-citizenship the towering quick will become an even more attractive proposition for BBL franchises who could sign him without eating into their international marquee spots.

“I’m definitely going to put my name in the hat and see how we go from there,” said Morkel.

“I’m finding my feet here in Australia and I’m just starting from scratch, buying a new car, a new house and those things, so that’s the most intimidating thing for me.

“But most definitely cricket is in my blood. (Shield cricket) is not out of the question. Not so much 50-over cricket because … I (don’t want to) take the spot of a youngster who can potentially learn and get game time, and for me I feel that would be wrong.

“But red ball cricket, I can still help guys on the field with their skills and … I (feel) I could add a lot of value there.”