Morne Morkel is a former South African cricketer who played with distinction, as a genuine pace bowler, in all 3 formats of the game for his country. At the peak of his powers, he was renowned for generating steepling bounce at a rapid pace from an awkward length which used to trouble international batsmen of the highest caliber. Despite regular injury setbacks throughout his career, Morne served South Africa in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, and captured a combined 544 international wickets. After announcing his international retirement in February 2018, he joined the English county team, Surrey, on a contract. He has also represented franchises such as Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL (Indian Premier League).
Born Name
Morne Morkel
Nick Name
Morras, Haydos, Lobster
Sun Sign
Libra
Born Place
Vereeniging, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Residence
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality
Education
Morne completed his high school graduation from Hoërskool Vereeniging.
Occupation
Cricketer
Family
- Father – Albert Morkel (Former South African First-Class Cricketer)
- Mother – Mariana Morkel
- Siblings – Johannes Albertus “Albie” Morkel (Older Brother) (Former International Cricketer), Malan Morkel (Older Brother) (Former Cricketer)
- Others – Marthmari Morkel (née Groenewald) (Sister-in-Law), Albertus Johannes “AJ” Morkel (Nephew), Cara Morkel (Niece)
Batting
Left-Handed
Bowling
Right-Arm Fast
Role
Bowler
Jersey Number
65 – ODI, T20I, IPL
Build
Athletic
Height
6 ft 5 in or 195.5 cm
Weight
95 kg or 209.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Morne has dated –
- Roz Kelly (2012–Present) – Morne first met Australian sports journalist and TV presenter Roz Kelly during South Africa’s tour of Australia in 2012. They began dating soon after and Morne proposed to her in October 2013. They got married in December 2014 and have 2 sons together – Arias Flynn Morkel (b. 2015) and Leo Morkel (b. 2018).
Race / Ethnicity
White
He is of Dutch descent and belongs to the Afrikaner ethnic group.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Blue
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Lanky frame
- Short-cropped hair
- Affable smile
Shoe Size
or 13 (US) or 46 (EU)
Morne Morkel Favorite Things
- Sports – Cricket, Golf
- Golfing Event – The annual Masters Tournament in Augusta
- Golf Courses – Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand; The Belfry in the English Midlands; Stellenbosch Golf Club, Pearl Valley, and Leopard Creek (all in South Africa)
- Hobbies/Interests – Watching Movies, Going on Wildlife Safaris, Cooking
- Food – Pasta
- Pace Bowler –
Source – , ,
Morne Morkel Facts
- Morne’s first-class debut came at the age of 19 when he played for Easterns (South African domestic team) against the touring West Indies. It was hardly the stuff of dreams though, as he sent down 17 no-balls in a 5-over spell that cost his side 54 runs.
- In his 2nd ODI game, for Africa XI against Asia XI, he opened the bowling with his older brother Albie which made them the first pair of brothers to do so in the history of ODI cricket.
- During the inaugural World T20 tournament in 2007, which was held in South Africa, he bowled a match-winning spell of 4/17 against New Zealand. In his final over, he clean bowled another batsman but was denied the wicket and a consequent 5-wicket haul due to an incorrect no-ball decision by the umpire. As the T20 format was in its nascent stage at that time, this would have been the first 5-wicket haul ever in a T20 international match, had the umpire made the correct decision.
- In 2012, he was named in the ‘ODI XI of the Year’ by both the ICC (International Cricket Council) and ESPN Cricinfo. He was also named in the ‘Team of the Tournament’ by the ICC after the 2015 World Cup, where he was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker.
- In the 2012 IPL, Morne picked up 25 wickets for the Delhi Daredevils in 16 games and won the ‘Purple Cap’ award for the feat. He was the first South African to earn that honor. He was also the most successful fast bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders in their 2014 IPL title run, the franchise’s 2nd IPL triumph.
Featured Image by YellowMonkey/Blnguyen / / CC BY-SA 4.0
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Facts of Morne Morkel
- full nameMorne Morkel
- Date of Birth October 06, 1984
- Age 39 years 11 months
- Horoscope Libra
- Lucky Number 11
- Lucky Stone Peridot
- Lucky Color Blue
- Best Match for Marriage Gemini
- weight95 kg
- height6 ft 5 in