Morne Morkel, brother of Easterns allrounder Albie, has been talked about on the South African domestic circuit for some time following his first-class debut in 2003-04. An out-and-out fast bowler, Morkel was one of the most consistent performers on the local scene since earning promotion to the Nashua Titans in the 2006 domestic season. A certain Allan Donald marked him out as national potential with good words for the lanky fast bowler's ability to extract bounce and bowl genuinely fast. Morkel sat out of much of the 2005 season due to injury, but excelled in a fast bowling camp organised by the South African board under Donald's watchful eye. Critics have had little to say against him, and both his attitude and physical strength were seen as plus points. With the big talking point of the 2006-07 season being India's tour of South Africa, Morkel used the opportunity to play for Rest of South Africa against the tourists to make a statement. On the opening day of the four-day fixture at Potchefstroom, Morkel cut a swathe through the Indian top order with 4 for 29. That showing earned him a Test call-up, and he made his debut in the second Test at Durban when Dale Steyn was ruled out, showing good application in an unbeaten 32, shepherding his fellow tail-enders, and pushing South Africa on to a score that seemed scarcely probable earlier in the match. He added three quick wickets on day three to help South Africa to a fantastic win, but missed out on the final Test at Cape Town. He had a brief stint with Kent during the 2007 season and then impressed during the ICC World Twenty20 when his pace and bounce proved too much for some top batsmen. A stress fracture early in the Pakistan tour which followed halted the rapid rise, but he is clearly going to play a major role in the next generation South African attack. And at the start of 2008, he signed for Yorkshire to cover for Rana Naved-ul-Hasan but his spell was cut short by injury.
Jamie Alter June 2008

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Jul 18, 2008 Morne Morkel appeals successfully for the wicket of Alastair Cook © Getty Images

Jul 12, 2008 England congratulate Monty Panesar on bowling Morne Morkel © Getty Images

Jul 11, 2008 Morne Morkel added Tim Ambrose for cheap © Getty Images

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