Morné Morkel born 6 October 1984 is a former South African cricketer and cricket coach, who had a significant international career from 2006 to 2018. After retiring, he served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan national cricket team until November 2023. In August 2025, he was appointed as the bowling coach for the India national cricket team. Morkel made his Test debut in 2006 and played a total of 86 Tests for South Africa. In March 2018, he became the fifth bowler in South African history to reach 300 Test wickets. Additionally, he participated in 117 One Day Internationals and 44 Twenty20 Internationals, making his debut in both formats in 2007. He announced his retirement from all international cricket on 26 February 2018, after the four-match Test series against Australia, with his final game taking place in March 2018.
Morne Morkel Biography 2025
Early in his career, at the age of 19, Morkel made his first-class debut for Easterns against the West Indies in 2003-04. This match was challenging for him, as he bowled 17 no-balls in just five overs, conceding 54 runs against notable batsmen like Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Despite this rocky start, he managed to score an unbeaten 44, contributing to a ninth-wicket partnership of 141 with Albie Morkel, as Easterns posted a total of 313 runs, falling short by 21 runs. He claimed his first first-class wicket by dismissing Sarwan, who was caught by Daryll Cullinan for 72 runs. Morkel played three additional matches for Easterns in the 2003-04 season, which was their last in the SuperSport Series before the restructuring of South African domestic cricket. Although he struggled with no-balls, bowling 41 in 71 overs, he took five wickets that season, helping Easterns secure the SuperSport Series shield for teams eliminated from the main tournament.
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Morne Morkel Biography Details
Full name
Morné Morkel
Born
6 October 1984 (age 40) Vereeniging, Transvaal, South Africa
Height
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Batting
Left-handed
Bowling
Right-arm fast
Role
Bowler
Relations
Albie Morkel (brother)
Roz Kelly (wife)
Morné Morkel Early Life
Morné Morkel, born on October 6, 1984, in Vereeniging, Transvaal, is a former South African cricketer and current cricket coach. Known for his impressive height of 1.96 meters, Morkel was an out-and-out fast bowler who played a pivotal role in South Africa’s bowling attack from 2006 until his retirement in 2018. His career highlights include being part of the elite group of bowlers to take over 300 Test wickets for South Africa, as well as being ranked among the top bowlers in the world across all formats during his playing years.
Morkel made his Test debut in 2006 and became renowned for his ability to generate steep bounce and speed, often reaching the upper 140 kph range. Over his 86 Test matches, he established himself as a key player in South Africa’s cricketing landscape, contributing to numerous series wins and cementing his legacy as one of the country’s most successful fast bowlers. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, taking up roles with various teams, including the Pakistan national cricket team and later, the India national cricket team.
Morné Morkel Career Overview
Name
Morné Morkel
Birth Date
October 6, 1984
Birthplace
Vereeniging, Transvaal
Age
40 years
Playing Role
Bowler
Morné Morkel Family Relations
Relationship
Name
Father
Albert Morkel
Brother
Malan Morkel
Brother
Albie Morkel
Morné Morkel Teams Played
Team
League/Format
South Africa
International
Africa XI
International
Easterns
Domestic
Kolkata Knight Riders
IPL
Delhi Daredevils
IPL
Brisbane Heat
Big Bash League
Perth Scorchers
Big Bash League
Rajasthan Royals
IPL
Titans
Domestic
Bowling Career Stats
Format
Matches
Wickets
Best Bowling
Average
Economy Rate
Tests
86
309
6/23
27.66
3.10
ODIs
117
188
5/21
25.32
4.95
T20Is
44
47
4/17
25.34
7.50
First-Class
153
566
6/23
25.46
3.10
Batting Career Stats
Format
Matches
Runs
Highest Score
Average
50s
100s
Tests
86
944
40
11.65
0
0
ODIs
117
268
32*
9.24
0
0
T20Is
44
22
8*
7.33
0
0
First-Class
153
2062
82*
13.13
4
0
Morné Morkel Notable Achievements
Achievement
Details
Test Wickets
Over 300 Test wickets
ODI Ranking
Ranked No. 1 ODI bowler in 2011
Series Wins
Contributed to South Africa’s win in England
Top Wicket-taker
Led wicket-taking charts during multiple tours
Morné Morkel T20 Career Stats
Tournament
Matches
Wickets
Best Bowling
Average
IPL
70
77
4/20
27.12
Big Bash League
7
5
2/24
38.80
CPL
5
3
1/29
53.00
Coaching Career
Role
Team
Duration
Bowling Coach
Pakistan National Team
Until Nov 2023
Bowling Coach
India National Team
From Aug 2025
Impact in ICC Rankings
Format
Highest Ranking
Tests
Top 10
ODIs
No. 1
T20s
Top 20
Signature Bowling Style
Attribute
Data
Height
1.96 meters
Bowling Type
Right arm fast
Bounce
Generates steep and awkward bounce
Speed
Reached upper 140 kph
Personal Interests
Interest
Facts
Family
Comes from a cricketing family
Sports
Passionate about various sports
Morné Morkel Legacy
Legacy
Description
Successful Cricketer
Renowned fast bowler for South Africa
Coaching Influence
Contributed to developing future talents
Morné Morkel Future Goals
Goal
Point
Coaching Excellence
Aiming to refine his coaching skills
Mentorship
Desire to mentor young bowlers
Morné Morkel Net Worth
Morne Morkel net worth is US$5.6 million.
Morné Morkel Summary
Morné Morkel is celebrated not only for his remarkable cricketing career as a fast bowler but also for his contributions to coaching in international cricket. His achievements on the field, including over 300 Test wickets and various accolades in ODIs and T20s, highlight his prowess as one of South Africa’s leading cricketers. Transitioning into coaching, Morkel continues to impact the sport, now serving as a mentor for aspiring bowlers on the international stage.
