BBL: ‘Aussie’ Morne dreams of playing for his adopted nation

Having become a permanent Australian resident, South African great Morne Morkel qualifies as a local player for Brisbane Heat.

Morne Morkel celebrates a wicket during his career with South Africa. Picture: AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

South African fast-bowling great Morne Morkel is already dreaming about representing Australia after qualifying as a local to play for Brisbane Heat in the BBL.

Morkel, who played 86 Tests, 117 one-day internationals and 44 Twenty20 internationals for the Proteas, lives in Australia with his family and has gained permanent residency.

“Australia’s my home now,” the 36-year-old paceman said.

“I love life here at the moment and I’m settling in nicely, so I’m quite happy to give back to cricket.”

Morkel admitted it was strange declaring his allegiance to Australia, and said it led to him having a dream about representing his adopted nation.

“When I got the message that I could play as a local, that night I had a dream where the Australian players were all stuck in quarantine and there was a Test match starting in a couple of days’ time, and they asked me to come to play for the Aussies in the Test,” he said.

Morkel joked that would “give it a crack” to play for Australia once his four-year qualification was completed.

“But there a lot of quality going around in Australia at the moment,” he said.

“For me the main focus is just on the Big Bash and then we’ll take it from there.”

Morkel is currently recovering from surgery after suffering an ankle injury playing English County cricket for Surrey.

📢 A message from the man himself @mornemorkel65 #BringTheHeat #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/XW2Ho0im0b

— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) November 6, 2020

“It was quite a nasty ankle injury,” he said.

“I’m getting there slowly. I’m just going to need some time if I’m brutally honest.

“I saw the physio today again and I’m improving every day which is a nice thing, but I haven’t bowled yet.

“Hopefully I can start doing that in the next two weeks and slowly build up my loads.

“I haven’t done any cricket specific training for close to three months now, so I’m slightly behind in terms of that but luckily the rest of the body is feeling great.

“I can’t wait to get a ball in my hand and start bowling again.”

Morkel said it was a “no-brainer” to join Brisbane after speaking to Heat coach Darren Lehmann and his former South African teammate AB de Villiers, who played for the team last season.

“I’ve spoken to AB for a long time about his experiences and he only had good things to say,” he said.

“I am still enjoying my cricket enormously and the chance to be part of the Heat squad is something I am keen to experience.”

Lehmann said Morkel was a “champion person” who became a better bowler as he got older.

“His control and skill with the ball were his trademarks so it will be great to introduce him into our group.” the Heat coach said.

Morkel will link with the Heat later this month ahead of the team’s first BBL match of the season on December 11 in Canberra against the Melbourne Stars.

Originally published as BBL: ‘Aussie’ Morne dreams of playing for his adopted nation