Former South Africa international all-rounder Albie Morkel has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, ending a two-decade career that earned him a reputation as a clean striker of the ball and a bowler full of guile.
The 37-year-old, the older brother of fast bowler Morne Morkel, played a single test, 58 One-Day Internationals and 50 Twenty20 matches for South Africa over 11 years, having more influence with the bat than the ball as a "finisher" at the end of limited-overs innings. "Time has run out for me on the cricket field, and I would like to announce my retirement from the game," Morkel said in a statement.
"I want to say a big thanks to Cricket South Africa because it was a huge honour to represent my country. Thank you to my family, friends, supporters, and sponsors who were there for me through thick and thin, and most importantly my wife who played an unbelievable supporting role, allowing me to do what I love."
"There are some new opportunities on the horizon, and I'm looking forward to growing into those. I will be enjoying the game from the other side of the rope."
"Professional sport can be a ruthless space to operate in, and it's impossible to do it without a solid support system. Thank you so much," he added.
Morkel made his first-class debut for Easterns against Northern in the 1999-2000 domestic seasons before earning a call-up into the South African ODI set-up for the series against New Zealand in 2004.
Morkel was one of the top buys at the inaugural Indian Premier League auction when he went to the Chennai Super Kings for $675,000 in 2008 and later played for Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Morkel blasted his highest individual score of 97 in the 50-over format versus Zimbabwe in 2007. He played a total of 58 ODIs, scoring 782 runs beside taking 50 wickets. He also played in a solitary Test against Australia in Cape Town in 2009.
However, it was in the T20 format where Morkel made a name for himself, finishing with 4247 runs and 247 wickets. He was also a part of the IPL's premier side Chennai Super Kings, taking 85 scalps and scoring 974 runs.
Morkel also snared 26 scalps and accumulated 572 runs in T20Is for his country. Morkel's younger brother Morne retired from international cricket after the Proteas' home series win against Australia last year April.
He also had spells in English county cricket with Derbyshire, Durham, and Somerset.