Morkel targets Twenty20 team hat-trick
Albie Morkel, the South Africa allrounder, is already assured of taking part in the Twenty20 Champions League. However, he is desperate to add a third team to his list as he prepares for his stint with Durham
Cricinfo staff
10-Jun-2008
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It isn't clear which team will have first call on his services in the Champions League, but at the moment Morkel is just concentrating on bringing some of his IPL form to the North East.
Morkel hit 243 runs at 34 during the tournament and also collected 17 wickets at 23 with his nippy pace bowling. "I think my bowling can be very effective but in Twenty20 it tends to be your hitting that comes to the fore," he told the Shields Gazette.
"I didn't know a great deal about Durham before I arrived but it's a beautiful part of the world and the facilities are excellent. I'm here for the cricket though and I'm very much looking forward to it. I did OK in India so I'm hoping to build on that"
Morkel will play alongside his former South Africa team-mate Shaun Pollock, who has joined Durham on a Kolpak deal for the Twenty20. "He's one of the great players and it's fantastic for me to be playing in the same side as him," said Morkel. "We are both motivated by different things - he is coming to the end of his career and wants to remind people of his abilities. I'm just getting into my stride and want to make an impression."
Pollock said that while his key role is helping Durham to Twenty20 success he also wants to pass his knowledge onto the youngsters. "We are here to perform, but we also want to help to bring on some of the talented younger players here," he told the Northern Echo.
"I remember when I was a young player what an impact Malcolm Marshall had on my career when he came to play for Natal. He gave me a lot of self belief, and there might just be two or three things I can say or do which can help the young guys at Durham."