BRISBANE: South African fast-bowling great Morne Morkel on Friday signed on for the Big Bash League, but as a local hire rather than international after becoming an Australian permanent resident.

The 36-year-old, who played 86 Tests and 117 ODIs for the Proteas, moved to Australia in 2018, where he lives with his sports broadcaster wife and children.

Morkel was a replacement international player for the Perth Scorchers for a one-off match last year. He gained residency this year and put pen to paper with the Brisbane Heat for the Twenty20 tournament starting on Dec 10.

“I am still enjoying my cricket enormously and the chance to be part of the Heat squad is something I am keen to experience,” he said. “I admit it will be a bit unusual to call myself a local, but we are enjoying living and working here and this is another aspect of our lives that I am looking forward to being a part of.”

BBL rules allow three internationals in the same XI with Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and English pair of Tom Banton and Lewis Gregory already signed for the Heat.

Vastly experienced, Morkel’s T20 record includes 77 wickets in 70 matches in the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils.

Heat coach Darren Lehmann said he was eager to see Morkel in action.

“On the international front, I consider his best bowling efforts came as he got older,” he said. “His control and skill with the ball were his trademarks so it will be great to introduce him into our group.”

Morkel retired from international cricket in 2018.

The right-arm quick ended a three-year stint with Surrey earlier this month and will be expected to rejuvenate the Heat attack following the departures of James Pattinson and Josh Lalor to Melbourne Renegades and Ben Cutting to Sydney Thunder.

Brisbane, BBL winners in 2012-13, begin the new campaign against Melbourne Stars on Dec 11 in Canberra.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2020