No more chewed fingertips as Morne Morkel commits to Proteas

Proteas coach Ottis Gibson has reassured jittery supporters that Morne Morkel is fully committed to the national side for the next two years.

There had been confusion for several weeks after the lanky quick revealed before the start of the new international season that he’d consider his options if he didn’t get clarity on his future role.

Morkel has been linked with a Kolpak deal in England.

Things then became even more uncertain when Gibson admitted he hadn’t given the 33-year-old veteran any assurances following the Test series win over Bangladesh in Bloemfontein.

But the air has been cleared.

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

That doesn’t guarantee him a free pass into 2019’s World Cup squad though as the West Indian maintains he wants to keep his options open.

“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 determine selection,” said Gibson.

“We had a good, honest discussion and he has committed his future to us over the next couple of years.”

Morkel’s partner-in-crime, Dale Steyn, is also earmarked for a return to competitive action next month in the domestic T20 challenge.

However, there are concerns that T20 cricket might not necessarily be the best way for the champion fast bowler, who’s taken 417 Test wickets, to build his strength again for the series against India and Australia.

Gibson dismissed those fears pretty quickly.

“He’s got a lot of T20 cricket between now and the Tests and he’s also got a lot of time when we can build up his workload and see that he’s 100%,” said the Proteas coach.

“He’s also Dale Steyn, he’s not some average guy from down the road. He’s one of the best fast bowlers the country has ever produced. So if you look him in the eyes and say: ‘Are you sure you can make it?’, you have to trust him. He’s deserved that opportunity.”

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