New Zealand Cricket on Sunday appointed former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel as a member of the coaching group for their women’s team ahead of next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Morne Morkel, who retired from international cricket in 2018, was part of last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. He was the bowling consultant for Namibia for their World Cup campaign. However, he is presently a bowling coach with Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 League.
Morkel to join New Zealand Women’s dugout as Coach
The former South African star is keen on sharing his playing experience with the White Ferns and has been monitoring their progress since moving to New Zealand. Moreover, he will join the New Zealand women’s team before their first game of the T20 World Cup, against Australia.
“The women’s game is growing so rapidly around the world, and this a great opportunity for me to build experience in the women’s game and share my knowledge of international cricket to help this team get better. I’ve been following the women’s game and the White Ferns closely over the last couple of years, especially since moving to Australia and seeing their players who have played in the Women’s Big Bash,” Morkel said to the press after his appointment.
A three-format international player, Morkel played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20s for South Africa between 2006 and 2018, taking 544 wickets. As a player, he featured in eight World Cups as well as in domestic leagues around the globe, including the Indian Premier League, the Vitality Blast, and the Big Bash.
I know a lot about the South African conditions: Morkel
“It’s a talented group of players and they have a very exciting pace bowling attack which I’ll be able to support Ben [Sawyer] with. I know a lot about the South African conditions and have spent a lot of time working here in the past year, so that’ some important knowledge that I’ll be able to share with this group during the tournament,” he added.
But this will be his first assignment with a women’s team.
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