Albie Morkel

A former South Africa all-rounder, Albie Morkel known for thunderous sixes and deceptive right-arm medium fast bowling. In this article, we are going beyond his stats, records, and history.

Albie Morkel: A Dynamic All-Rounder in Cricket

Albie Morkel, born on June 10, 1981, in Vereeniging, Transvaal, South Africa, hails from a cricketing family.

His brother, Morne Morkel, also played for the South Africa national team, and his father, Albert Morkel, was a domestic cricketer in South Africa during the Apartheid era.

Albie, known for his left-handed batting and right-arm fast-medium bowling, grew up immersed in the world of cricket, which shaped his early interest and subsequent career in the sport.

Domestic and International Career

Domestic Career

Morkel’s domestic career is marked by his versatility and power-hitting abilities. He played for multiple teams, including Titans, Durham, Somerset, and others.

His aggressive batting style and effective medium-fast bowling made him a valuable player in domestic leagues.

Morkel’s performances in domestic cricket, especially in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, were instrumental in his selection for the national team.

International Career

Morkel made his mark in international cricket with his debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand in February 2004.

He became an integral part of the South African ODI squad, particularly noted for his performance in the 2008-09 series against Australia.

His 18-ball 40 in Melbourne was pivotal in South Africa’s first ODI series win in Australia. Morkel’s Test debut came later, in March 2009 against Australia, where he played only one match.

In T20 Internationals, he debuted against New Zealand in October 2005 and was known for his aggressive batting and economical bowling.

Career across Formats

Test Career

Albie Morkel’s Test career was brief, featuring in only one match against Australia in 2009. He scored 58 runs in his sole innings and took one wicket, showcasing his all-round capabilities even in the longest format of the game.

ODI Career

In ODIs, Morkel played 58 matches, scoring 782 runs with a highest score of 97 and taking 50 wickets.

His batting strike rate of over 100 and his ability to take crucial wickets made him a valuable player in the South African ODI team.

T20 Career

Morkel’s T20 career was notable, with him playing 50 international matches. He scored 572 runs and took 26 wickets.

His striking rate of 142.29 in batting and his effective bowling in this format underscored his reputation as a dynamic T20 player.

IPL Career

In the most popular Indian Premier League (IPL), Albie Morkel was a prominent figure. He played for teams like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Capitals.

His power-hitting and effective bowling were key to his teams’ successes in the tournament.

Morkel’s highest score in the IPL was 73*, and he took 85 wickets in 91 matches, making him one of the impactful all-rounders in the league.

Coaching Career

Albie Morkel, a renowned former South African all-rounder, has transitioned into a coaching role, currently serving as the assistant coach for the Namibian national cricket team.

This role marked a significant shift in his career following his retirement from all forms of cricket, influenced partly by the COVID-19 pandemic which prematurely ended his playing days.

Morkel’s involvement has coincided with a remarkable phase in Namibian cricket, notably their participation in their second consecutive T20 World Cup, reflecting a significant uplift in their cricketing fortunes under his guidance.

Morkel has played a pivotal role in reviving the cricketing culture in Namibia, which had seen a decline over the years.

His efforts, alongside Pierre de Bruyn, have reinvigorated the sport within the country, leading to a resurgence in public interest and participation, particularly among the youth and at the grassroots level.

Morkel’s approach involves rigorous discipline and structure, focusing on enhancing various aspects of the team, including fielding, batting, bowling, fitness, and nutrition.

In terms of team composition, Morkel has been instrumental in recruiting players with Namibian connections, like David Wiese and Ruben Trumpelmann, who have significantly strengthened the team.

He acknowledges the challenges in integrating players from other countries but emphasizes the value they bring to the squad.

Namibia’s cricket team, under Morkel’s guidance, has developed a robust bowling attack, featuring a mix of left-arm pacers and right-handed options, offering versatility and adaptability to different playing conditions.

The team’s success, including making it to the Super 12s in the previous T20 World Cup and defeating teams like Scotland, has raised expectations and belief within the squad.

Morkel stresses the importance of having multiple in-form players to ensure consistent performance throughout tournaments like the T20 World Cup.

Additionally, Morkel is set to join the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 as an assistant coach to Stephen Fleming, indicating his growing stature and recognition in the coaching arena.

His excitement about this role highlights his ongoing commitment to cricket, both in Namibia and beyond.

Albie Morkel: A List of Cricketing Records

Albie Morkel, a renowned South African all-rounder, has left an indelible mark in the world of cricket with his exceptional skills in batting and bowling.

His career, spanning from 2004 to 2015, is adorned with several notable records across different formats of the game. Here’s a detailed look at some of his significant records:

Top Records

Test Matches

• Bowling Averages, Strike Rates, and Economy: Morkel holds the 48th position for the worst career bowling average without qualification, with an average of 132.00.

One-Day Internationals (ODIs)

• Batting Averages and Strike Rates: Morkel ranks 41st for the highest career strike rate, standing at 100.25.
• Highest Strike Rate in an Innings: He achieved a remarkable strike rate of 284.61 in an innings, placing him 31st in this category.
• Partnerships: Morkel is 12th for the highest partnership for the tenth wicket, scoring an unbeaten 67 runs.

Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)

• Bowling Records: Morkel achieved the first position for outstanding bowling analyses in an innings, with figures of 1/0.
• Batting Ducks and Pairs: He ranks 36th for the most innings before the first duck, which came after 23 innings.
• Bowling Averages, Strike Rates, and Economy: Morkel holds the 15th position for the worst career bowling average at 33.23 and the 20th for the worst career strike rate at 24.8.

Combined Test, ODI, and T20I Records

• Batting Ducks and Pairs: Morkel is 19th for the fewest ducks in his career, with a total of 41 innings without a duck.

Albie Morkel: A Family Rooted in Cricket

Albie Morkel’s journey in cricket is deeply entwined with his family’s passion for the sport. Born into an Afrikaner family, Albie’s life has been marked by the influence of cricket from his early days.

Family Background and Origins

Albie Morkel hails from a cricket-enthusiastic Afrikaner family. He was born to Albert and Mariana Morkel, and is the second of their three children.

His family’s love for cricket played a significant role in shaping his and his siblings’ careers in the sport.

Siblings: A Cricketing Brotherhood

• Morne Morkel: Albie’s younger brother, Morne, also chose a path in cricket, becoming a well-known player. Morne’s career as a fast bowler in the South African national team has been marked by considerable success.
• Malan Morkel: Albie’s older brother, Malan, too, was involved in cricket, although not as prominently as his brothers.

The Morkel brothers grew up in a South African small town where they developed their cricketing skills from a young age.

Both Albie and Morne went on to represent the South African national team, enjoying significant success and acclaim.

Their relationship extends beyond the cricket field, with a deep bond and mutual support evident in their endeavors.

Post their playing careers, they have continued to work together as cricket coaches, showcasing a strong familial bond and a shared passion for the sport.

Personal Life

Albie is married to Marthmari (née Groenewald), his childhood crush. The couple has two children: a son, Albertus Johannes “AJ” Morkel, born in 2009, and a daughter, Cara Morkel, born in 2011.

The Morkel family resides in Pretoria, South Africa. Before his marriage, Albie lived with his brother Morne and fellow cricketer AB de Villiers in Pretoria, highlighting the close-knit nature of his relationships both within his family and in the cricketing community.

Scorecard of Morkel’s Net Worth

Albie Morkel, a former South African cricketer renowned for his six-hitting prowess, especially in Twenty20 cricket, has accumulated a substantial net worth throughout his career. His financial journey reflects his success both on and off the cricket field.

Net Worth:

Estimates of Albie Morkel’s net worth vary. As of 2023, it is reported to be between $100,000 and $1 million. Another source pegs it at around $2 million, while a different estimate suggests it could be as high as $5 million.

This variance reflects the complexities and fluctuations in calculating the net worth of sports personalities, considering their diverse income sources, including salaries, endorsements, and investments.

Cricket Earnings:

Morkel’s earnings from cricket, particularly from the Indian Premier League (IPL), contribute significantly to his net worth.

His annual salary playing for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL was £29,400 (approximately ₹3,000,000).

Over his career, he has earned a total of £1,923,541.55 (about ₹196,279,750) from playing in the IPL. His salary details over the years from various IPL teams are as follows:

• 2016 Rising Pune Supergiant: £29,400 (₹3,000,000)
• 2015 Delhi Daredevils: £29,400 (₹3,000,000)
• 2014 Royal Challengers Bangalore: £235,200 (₹24,000,000)
• 2013 Chennai Super Kings: £261,023 (₹26,635,000)
• 2012 Chennai Super Kings: £246,323 (₹25,135,000)
• 2011 Chennai Super Kings: £225,400 (₹23,000,000)
• 2010 Chennai Super Kings: £306,208.35 (₹31,245,750)
• 2009 Chennai Super Kings: £324,928.8 (₹33,156,000)
• 2008 Chennai Super Kings: £265,658.39 (₹27,108,000)

6 Albie Morkel’s Best Moments in Cricket

Albie Morkel, a dynamic all-rounder from South Africa, has had several memorable moments in his cricketing career, both in the IPL and international cricket. Here are some of his best moments:

1. 4/32 against RCB, IPL 2008

In this match at Chepauk, Morkel showcased his bowling prowess by picking up four wickets against Royal Challengers Bangalore, including the scalps of Rahul Dravid and Mark Boucher.

His performance was crucial in restricting RCB to a low score, although CSK eventually lost the match.

2. 62 (34) against RR, IPL 2010

Playing at Chepauk, Morkel delivered a stunning batting performance, smashing 62 runs off just 34 balls against Rajasthan Royals.

This innings helped CSK post a mammoth total of 246/5. Morkel also picked up two crucial wickets in the match.

3. Smashing 28 runs off Virat Kohli, IPL 2012

In a high-scoring thriller against RCB, Morkel’s most iconic moment came when he hammered 28 runs off Virat Kohli’s over, turning the game in CSK’s favor.

This performance is remembered as one of the most dramatic in IPL history.

4. 97 against Zimbabwe, Harare (2007)

Batting at number three, Morkel scored a valiant 97 off 104 deliveries against Zimbabwe. His innings, studded with eight fours and four sixes, was instrumental in building a strong total for South Africa.

5. 4 for 29 against Bangladesh, Mirpur (2008)

Morkel’s exceptional bowling spell against Bangladesh saw him take four wickets for just 29 runs. His performance played a key role in restricting Bangladesh to a low total, paving the way for a comfortable South African victory.

6. 3 for 12 against India, Cuttack (2015)

In this match, Morkel bowled an impactful spell, taking 3 wickets for just 12 runs, including the crucial wicket of MS Dhoni. His performance was pivotal in South Africa’s victory and earned him the Player of the Match award.