Allan Donald to Morne Morkel: Keep playing for South Africa, don't sign Kolpak deal

Mumbai: In the wake of reports speculating Morne Morkel signing a Kolpak deal, South Africa pace legend Allan Donald pleaded with Morkel, to keep playing for South Africa. Donald believes that Morkel still has some international cricket left in him.

Morkel’s future in international cricket has come under a shroud of uncertainty, with the country’s cricket board implementing the racial quota system for the national cricket side.

The 32-year-old, who is said to be mulling over a ‘Kolpak deal’, is also rumoured to have been in talks with a number of English county side. However, Donald believes that Morkel is an integral part of the Proteas side.

"Don’t reconsider your future. South Africa needs you," Donald was quoted as addressing Morkel, on South African domestic side Titans’ official website. "Your performances against England in the Test series were the best I have seen you bowl in a very, very long time.

"Give him what he wants. Let him retire on his terms. We need him this summer. I have not seen him bowl this well for many, many seasons, continued Donald. "There’s no doubt, Morkel is world-class. It is just a shame that he did not take bucket loads of wickets in England because he deserved it. "He beat the bat on countless occasions without reward."

Morkel had previously spoken-up about the difficulties of representing South Africa, with the quota system, indicating that he will assess his options after the end of the year.

"After this tour we'll see. I'll speak with Cricket South Africa and see where they see me featuring," Morkel had said to ESPNCricinfo.

"I love playing for this team. But it's not rocket science that they probably want to start looking, in white-ball cricket, at the 2019 World Cup,” said Morkel. "Am I going to part of those plans? If I can be around to help the younger guys find their feet, so be it. I'll do that.”