Albie Morkel retires from cricket: The last 20 years took me on an incredible journey

Morkel enjoyed tremendous success in T20 cricket towards the end of his career, captaining his Titans team to three consecutive domestic titles and winning the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings

Albie Morkel has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The former South Africa international has called time on a playing career of nearly 20 years, during which time he won one Test cap and made 108 limited-overs appearances for his country.

Morkel enjoyed tremendous success in T20 cricket towards the end of his career, captaining his Titans team to three consecutive domestic titles and winning the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings.

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

^{Albie Morkel in IPL action for Chennai Super Kings}

"I would like to thank Jacques Faul and everyone involved at the Titans for giving me the opportunity to live my dream. 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."

"I want to say a big thanks to Cricket South Africa (CSA), because it was a huge honour to represent my country. Thank you to my family, friends, supporters and sponsors who were there for me through thick and thin, and most importantly my wife who played an unbelievable supporting role, allowing me to do what I love.

"Professional sport can be a ruthless space to operate in, and it's impossible to do it without a solid support system. Thank you so much."

Plans are afoot for a farewell match for Morkel, to be staged by Titans.

The club's chief executive Dr Jacques Faul said: "He deserves a send-off, and also a chance for the Titans fans to say a fond farewell. It wasn't just for Titans that he was a massive player, because he also served the Proteas with distinction."

ALBIE MORKEL: CAREER STATS

First-class: 77 matches, 4,117 runs (ave 44.26), 8 100s, 23 50s, 203 wickets (ave 30.28)

List A: 222 matches, 3,994 runs (ave 30.25), 2 100s, 19 50s, 215 wickets (ave 31.37)

T20: 318 matches, 4,247 runs (s/r 138.65), 247 wickets (eco 7.60)

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