Twitter Pays Tribute To Albie Morkel As He Retires From All Forms Of Game

South Africa allrounder Albie Morkel retired from all forms of cricket, on Wednesday (January 9).

The hard-hitting batsman decided to end his professional career that spanned for nearly two decades. He made his first-class debut for Easterns against Northerns in the 1999-00 domestic season. Five years later, he earned his maiden international call-up when he was picked in the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand. The call-up came after he had picked up 12 wickets in List A games in the 2003-04 season.

However, the highly-rated allrounder could not make much of an impact in the ODIs.  He scored 758 runs in addition to picking up 50 wickets. Overall, Morkel played one Test, 58 ODIs and 50 T20Is for his country, scoring 1412 runs and picking up 77 wickets across formats.

He made a name for himself with his exploits in T20 format where he scored 4247 runs and picked up 247 wickets.

The left-handed batsman played a crucial role for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He took 85 wickets and scored 974 runs in the franchise-based league. When Super Kings won the IPL in 2011, he bagged 15 wickets. He also led the Titans to a hat-trick of T20 titles between 2015-16 to 2017-18.

“Time has run out for me on the cricket field, and I would like to announce my retirement from the game.” Morkel said. “The last 20 years of my life took me on an incredible journey, with so many awesome memories that I will cherish forever.

“I would like to thank Jacques Faul and everyone involved at the Titans for giving me the opportunity to live my dream,” he said. “The squad is in a healthy state and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress that the younger players will make. I will forever be a big Titans fan,” he added.

Meanwhile, cricket fraternity was quick to pay tribute to the retiring allrounder. Here are some of the messages:

It feels like yesterday we were 2 boys dreaming in the backyard about the game we love!! Well done on a magnificent career…proud to call you my brother!! @albiemorkel ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zI4McvGpDB

— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) January 9, 2019

It was a pleasure playing with you in #CSK & sharing the dressing room buddy @albiemorkel, wish you lots of success on your new journey.☝️??? https://t.co/kkSmZeu9xI

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) January 9, 2019

Well done @albiemorkel on a great career. You can be very proud of what you have achieved. Lots of trophies and plenty sixes … Wish you all the best with the next chapter .

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) January 9, 2019

On his day, @albiemorkel was perhaps the most exciting SA slugger since the heyday of one AP Kuiper. Agreed, anyone?

— Rob Houwing (@RobHouwing) January 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/imsharatbhatt/status/1083000240263684096

Happy retirement Albie Morkel! Tremendous six hitter. Still remember Csk required some 42 runs off 2 overs against RCB and Albie's heroics won that match ? @albiemorkel

— ABHISHEK RATHI (@rathiabhi318) January 9, 2019

Albie Morkel was surprisingly not utilised much by South Africa!Enjoy your post retirement life! #AlbieMorkel

— Udit (@udit_buch) January 9, 2019

.@albiemorkel retires from International cricket.

Thank you for all the memories!?
Sending loads of #Yellove for the 2nd Innings ahead!?? #AlbieMorkel #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/MjiiUNWDlJ

— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) January 9, 2019

Congratulations @albiemorkel on your retirement. Wishing you all the best for the future. Thank you for the many years you have given to our beautiful game. https://t.co/YAOeayybSS

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 9, 2019

Was a pleasure and a privilege to work along side you.Was particularly proud of your success over the last 6 years for @Titans_Cricket. Being celebrated as one of the most successful Titans skippers of all time is the very least you deserve! Wonderful team man even better friend!

— Robert Walter (@RobWalter17) January 9, 2019

Congrats on a great career, thanks for the entertainment!

— Mike Ric-Hansen (@MikeRicHansen) January 9, 2019

Before Abd era begain he was the game changer batsman for Sa

— Aman (@amankhan9161) January 9, 2019

You were one hard hitter when on form… Still remember the night at MCG when you tore the aussie attack in the first odi

— Sathish Kumar (@Sathishcfc) January 9, 2019

Sad day in my career! @albiemorkel thank you for everything you’ve done not just for me personally but for @Titans_Cricket on and off the field! Change room won’t be the same. You are a LEGEND!

— Chris Morris (@Tipo_Morris) January 9, 2019