Morkel will support Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the World Cup-winning Indian squad.

Previously, the duo collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Durban Super Giants in the SA20.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, Gambhir recommended Morkel’s name.

The 39-year-old individual, who previously held the position of Pakistan’s bowling coach until December of last year, will now take up the role previously occupied by Paras Mhambrey, a former fast bowler from India.

Morkel, a strong and powerful fast bowler, has achieved a remarkable total of 544 wickets in international cricket.

Although he excelled in all formats, including being South Africa’s top wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup, his true strength was in Test cricket.

Throughout his 12-year career, he accumulated a total of 309 scalps from the 86 Tests he participated in.

In September, India will host Bangladesh for their upcoming match, and thereafter, they will have another series at home against New Zealand.

In the future, the crew will journey to Australia.

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Morkel retired from international cricket last year – and is married to Australian journalist Roz Kelly. Morkel is currently in Australia on a tourist visa – and will likely pursue citizenship.

‘Australia is going to be home for me from now on, so hopefully we can sort out passports and visas and those sort of things,’ he told cricket.com.au.

‘I understand there’s a process and I respect that. I’m open to any possibilities and opportunities that come my way because I’m going to base myself in Australia for the next couple of years or however long it may be.

‘Australia’s going to be my home so I’m definitely trying to get my foot in the door. But there’s been no formal sit-down discussions about signing or playing any state cricket. It’s just been about meeting the guys and getting a feel for Australia.’

The lanky right-armer has played in the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League, but not the Big Bash League.

‘I’m still available for all formats, so if there’s an opportunity here, that’d be great,’ he added.

‘I still feel mentally and physically that I’m capable of playing and bowling a lot of overs. I love the game, so I think it’s important to give back – and if I can add value by playing red-ball cricket and spend time with youngsters, that’s the stuff that really excites me.’

Former all-rounder Johan Botha played five Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20Is for the Proteas before becoming a naturalised Australian. Botha retired from all forms of competitive cricket earlier this year.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

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Morkel, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, has also played for the Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League – St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League.

South African pacer @mornemorkel65 who has struck fear in the hearts of many batsmen is picked by @BengalTigersUAE. #T10Drafts
Watch the event live here https://t.co/uEjFXmcsgE pic.twitter.com/zY6DDQTmC3

— T10 League (@T10LeagueTweets) September 24, 2018

Ex-Proteas batsman Colin Ingram and Dolphins star Cameron Delport have selected for the Pakhtoons. Former Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs will coach the Rajputs.

Cape Town-born England fast bowler Tom Curran, Johannesburg-born England seamer Jade Dernbach and Durban-born New Zealand batsman Colin Munro were chosen by the Kerala Kings, Punjabi Legends and Pakhtoons, respectively.

The nine-day, eight-team tournament is in its second season – and will be played from 23 November to 2 December 2018.

Kerala are the reigning champions, after beating the Punjabi Legends in 2017’s final.

Erstwhile Proteas fast bowlers Marchant de Lange and Hardus Viljoen – and batsmen Rilee Rossouw and Roelof van der Merwe – competed in last year’s inaugural edition. The hard-hitting David Miller, too, was involved.

The defending champions @KeralaKingsT10 have made the first pick of the draft and it is none other than the Universe Boss @henrygayle. #T10Drafts
Watch the event live here https://t.co/uEjFXmcsgE pic.twitter.com/SGmTFjij9J

— T10 League (@T10LeagueTweets) September 24, 2018

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Surrey won by just six runs in a day-night first class match at the Oval, thanks to two inspired spells from the former Protea star.

The victory preserves Surrey’s unbeaten run in the County Championship and keeps them 32 points clear of Somerset in second place after their win against Essex at Taunton.

In the opening session, Morkel, who took a Kolpak contract after retiring from international cricket, looked to have taken Surrey to the brink of victory with a sensational three-wicket burst that first broke a stubborn partnership of 78 between debutant Josh Bohannon and Steven Croft, then exposed Lancashire’s usually fragile tail.

When Joe Mennie fell to another snorter from Morkel, edging behind to Ben Foakes, Lancashire were 209 for 8, still needing a 63 for victory. Amar Virdi was keeping one end tight while Morkel was reaping havoc from the other end, until Graham Onions decided to smash Morkel out of the attack.

While he was rested, Lancashire moved to 247 for eight, adding 70 runs in 31 overs, But with the target 18 runs away Morkel returned to spread Onions’s stumps. Then a brilliant catch by Will Jacks at short leg completed the victory and gave Morkel 6-57 in the innings and eight for the match. The lanky bowler had also contributed a useful 29 in Surrey’s second innings to give the team a workable total.

Morkel has transformed the Surrey attack from reliable grafters into the most potent strike force in the country. Last season no one took more than Gareth Batty’s 25 wickets, and apart from Rikki Clarke, no one averaged below 29. Last season Surrey managed to win only two of their 14 games. In part, moribund pitches were to blame but there was a lack of cutting edge.

This time round, led by Morkel’s 33 wickets at 14.12, they have five bowlers who have already taken 25 wickets or more and all of them at an average below 28.30. This victory was their seventh in nine matches.

Photo:  Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

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The former Proteas star picked up a side strain in the final Test against Australia at the same time as his 300th Test wicket. It was sufficiently serious to keep him out of the County Cricket opening round, but he hopes to be back in action in June.

‘I wanted to be in that starting XI for Surrey. But the most important thing is for me to get fit and get playing, taking wickets and trying to win games for Surrey.

‘It’s a long season so for me to rush into it would be silly but luckily I’m in fantastic hands here so it’s just a matter of time.

‘I’m with the medical staff now and going according to what they say. They know best so I’m just following their advice and going day by day.’

He is undergoing a ‘back to bowling’ programme to get him ready by the start of June.

‘It’s great to be in a new kit. I’ve settled in very nicely in a beautiful village near Wimbledon,’ said Morkel ‘It’s a little bit cold for my liking but I’ve prepared myself mentally for that. I just can’t wait to get playing out on the park with the boys.’

Surrey open their season against Hampshire, who had a triumphant start, beating Worcestershire by 196 runs. Kyle Abbott played a leading role, taking seven wickets in the match and contributing a valuable fifth down the order which set Worcs an impossible target.

Dean Elgar, who is on a two-month contract with he London based county is likely to open the batting for Surrey against Abbott.

Also making a debut will be his Proteas opening partner Aiden Markram, for Durham, who face Kent.

Providing the weather plays its part, Markram will come up against Heino Kuhn in his introduction to County Cricket.

Photo: Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

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The South African will be available for Surrey in all forms of the game. The 33-year-old played 86 Test matches, 117 One-Day Internationals and 44 T20 International for the Proteas.

He also managed to reach 309 wickets in the Tests during the Proteas’ 3-1 series win against Australia at home and ended seventh in the latest ICC bowling rankings.

Speaking after signing for the club, Morkel said: ‘It is a real honour that Surrey have asked me to join their club after my retirement from international cricket.

‘I’ve got fond memories of playing at The Kia Oval and am looking forward to settling into London with my family for the summer, making new friendships with teammates and hopefully great memories on and off the field.’

Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart added: ‘Following his retirement from international cricket, I am very pleased that Morne has signed for Surrey for at least the next two years.

‘He has had an outstanding career with South Africa and is a player that will add enormous strength and experience to our squad. His appetite to continue playing and most importantly performing was very evident from our very first conversation.

‘He sets exceedingly high standards for himself and for our young bowlers to have the opportunity to train and play alongside Morne can only help to develop their own games. We look forward to welcoming Morne and his family to the Kia Oval for the start of the season.’

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

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In his last match for the Proteas, he bowled within himself, but with great accuracy, to trap openers Matt Renshaw (five) and Joe Burns (42) lbw, either side of a strike by Keshav Maharaj, who sent back Usman Khawaja (seven).

Bad light stopped play shortly before the scheduled close.

Captain Faf du Plessis was working with a fragile bowling attack as all three of his pacemen were nursing injuries to a greater or lesser degree. This was starkly demonstrated when Morkel, who went off the field with a side strain in Australia’s first innings, leapt up for an lbw appeal and clutched his ribs in pain.

Kagiso Rabada, who was suffering from a stiff back, looked to be efficient enough, but there was obviously a concern as to how many overs he could bowl, while Philander has been ‘managing’ a groin strain from the start.

Maharaj came on in the 10th over and bowled 10 overs on the trot, getting good grip and turn.

The state of the bowlers had forced the Proteas’ hand in batting on to tea and achieve a lead of 611. Otherwise, they may have declared when Du Plessis had battled his way to his eighth Test hundred, or when Dean Elgar was dismissed 19 short of his ton.

The century was a momentous occasion for Du Plessis, who had struggled for runs throughout this series — with his best being just 20. He did this one the hard way though, batting on after receiving a tremendous blow on his finger from Pat Cummins, when he was on 43.

In fact, from that point, his stroke play became more positive and he drove with intent. His first 50 came up off 103 balls, with nine fours, the second off 63 balls, with eight fours and a six.

Du Plessis eventually went for 120 when a precise delivery from Cummins bounced more than expected to take the edge and carry to the slips, although it took an athletic dive by Peter Handscomb to complete the catch.

Elgar’s 81 — as befitting such a solid opener — came off 250 balls, with 10 fours and a six, and ended when he top-edged a sweep off Nathan Lyon, who had bowled well with little reward.

Philander at least batted with freedom, scoring 33 off 49 balls, while Temba Bavuma was with him on 35 off 40 when the declaration came at tea. They had put on 71 in 14 overs after Quinton de Kock was trapped lbw by Cummins on four.

Scorecard

South Africa (1st innings) 488: Aiden Markram 152, Temba Bavuma 95, AB de Villiers 69; Pat Cummins 5-83, Nasthan Lyon 3-182
Australia 221 (1st innings): Tim Paine 62, Usman Khawaja 53, Pat Cummins 50, Vernon Philander 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 3-53, Keshav Maharaj 3-92.
South Africa (2nd innings) 344-6: Faf du Plessis 120, Dean Elgar 81, Pat Cummins 4-58, Nathan Lyon 2-116.
Australia  (2nd innings) 88-3: Joe Burns 42, Peter Handscomb 23*; Morne Morkel 2-18, Keshav Maharaj 1-45.
Australia trail by 524 runs.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

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In late February, Morkel announced that he was quitting all forms of international cricket, citing family pressures, but he made it clear he was not finished with the game, saying: ‘I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in me and I am excited for what lies ahead.’

According to The Telegraph, Morkel will play throughout the County Championship as a Kolpak player, which allows him to play as a ‘European’ player. Ironically, he will line up alongside Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, who was signed as the county’s overseas player.

Morkel, who recently took his 300th Test wicket in the series against Australia, will be a ­significant boost to Surrey’s hopes of winning their first County ­Championship title since 2002.

He is ranked as the world’s sixth-best Test bowler and recorded match figures of nine for 110 in South Africa’s victory over Australia in the third Test, which ended last week. He has one wicket from the fourth Test, but there is a cloud hanging over his fitness after he was forced to leave the field for treatment for a strain.

Morkel will join the likes of Durban-born Jason Roy at the Kia Oval when the County Championship begins for Surrey on 20 April against Hampshire, where he will be bowling to Hashim Amla, their overseas player, as well as Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw, who took Kolpak deals last year.

In quitting South African cricket, Morkel said:  ‘I have a young family and a foreign wife, and the current demanding international schedule has put a lot of strain us. I have to put them first and this decision will only benefit us going forward.

‘I have loved every minute that I have played in the Proteas jersey, and I am incredibly grateful to my teammates, Cricket South Africa, and my family and friends for the support over the years. I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in me and I am excited for what lies ahead.’

Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

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Morkel, who announced he will retire from all international cricket after the series against Australia, moved up five places in the rankings for bowlers. He picked up nine wickets in the entire Test for his best ever bowling figures of 9-110.

READ MORE: Rabada back at No 1

Morkel, whose highest ever ranking was third, achieved in 2010, is now ranked sixth.

Elgar, who carried his bat in the first innings for the Proteas, now ranks as the eighth best batsman in the world. Aiden Markram’s 84 in the second innings saw him climb into the top 20 for the first time in his career.

Kagiso Rabada remains the world’s No 1 bowler, while the disgraced Steve Smith leads the list for the batsmen. Vernon Philander remains fifth on the list for all-rounders.

ICC Test rankings:

Batsmen
1. Steve Smith (Aus) – 938
2. Virat Kohli (Ind) – 912
3. Kane Williamson (NZ) – 878
4. Joe Root (Eng) – 870
5. David Warner (Aus) – 828
6. AB de Villiers (SA) – 819
7. C. Pujara (Ind) – 810
8. Dean Elgar (SA) – 772
9. Azhar Ali (Pak) – 755
10. Hashim Amla (SA) – 745

Bowlers
1. Kagiso Rabada (SA) – 899
2. James Anderson (Eng) – 887
3. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind) – 844
4. R. Ashwin (Ind) – 803
5. Josh Hazlewood (Aus) – 802
6. Morne Morkel (SA) – 798
7. Trent Boult (NZ) – 792
8. Neil Wagner (NZ) – 781
9. Rangana Herath (SL) – 777
9. Vernon Philander (SA) – 777

All-rounders
1. Shakib Al Hasan (Ban) – 421
2. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind) – 391
3. R. Ashwin (Ind) – 368
4. Ben Stokes (Eng) – 349
5. Vernon Philander (SA) – 336

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