LEEDS (England), Feb 6: South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel will deputise for Pakistan’s Rana Naved-ul-Hasan as Yorkshire’s overseas player in the early part of the forthcoming English season, the county announced on Tuesday.

Morkel, 23, will play on a week-to-week contract starting in April while Naved recovers from a shoulder injury.

Morkel, who has taken 19 One-day International wickets for South Africa and played one Test for his country, said he was looking forward to playing for Yorkshire, where compatriot Jacques Rudolph is already on the club’s books.

“I am really pleased to have signed for Yorkshire,” he said in a statement issued by the county.

“Although it is a short-term deal I am excited about the opportunity to play for such a historic and important club,” added Morkel, who had a brief stint in England with Kent last year.

“The opportunity to play county cricket is one I couldn’t ignore. I want to use the time I have with Yorkshire to help get the team off to a flying start and develop my own game.”

“It will be great to play under a captain like Darren Gough and I know I can learn a lot from him about quick bowling,” Morkel added of the prospect of playing in the same team as the former England fast bowler.

Yorkshire chief Stewart Regan said: “Morne Morkel is a quality acquisition and a very talented prospect.

“We are pleased to have secured his services and he will provide excellent cover for Rana Naved during the first part of the season,” explained Regan, who added Morkel had impressed Yorkshire and England batting great Geoff Boycott.—AFP