Albie Morkel named Titans' Player of the Year

Albie Morkel has been named Player of the Year at the Titans franchise. The allrounder, who missed out on a spot in South Africa's World Cup squad, played an instrumental role at domestic level in the 2010-11 season while fighting for his place in the national squad.

His performance in the SuperSport Series competition best embodied his determination to impress the national selectors. Morkel played five first-class matches, scored 424 runs, including two centuries and took 16 wickets at an average of 28.68. His hundred against the Cape Cobras in the penultimate match of the season kept the Titans on top of the table at that stage. They went on to finish as runners-up.

Exclusion from the World Cup meant Morkel was available for the entire Standard Bank Pro20 campaign. He scored 214 runs in the Standard Bank Pro20, including two half-centuries and took five wickets at an average of 18.60. He was also one of the top performers in the MTN40, where he shone more with the ball than the bat. He was the Titans second highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps at an average of 23.66.

For his efforts, Morkel was also awarded the Standard Bank Pro20 award and the Players' Player of the Year. The Titans ended the season with no silverware after they finished in the runner-up position in the SuperSport Series and the MTN40 and reached the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Pro20.

Morkel is currently in India preparing for the IPL where he will represent the Chennai Super Kings, who are defending champions. He was the only South African player to be retained by an IPL franchise.