Has Morkel played his last Test?

Towering quick Morne Morkel might have played his last match for South Africa after he was dropped for the second Test in Port Elizabeth, but former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith says a lot can happen between now and the end of the series against Australia.

In the lead-up to the first Test in Durban, Morkel announced he would retire from international cricket after the four-match series against Australia. 

But following a return of 3-122 in the 118-run loss at Kingsmead, Morkel was dropped for the second Test for boom youngster Lungi Ngidi, who finished with 3-51 on Friday and the prize wicket of David Warner with a brilliant delivery. 

Ngidi’s impressive performance and the looming injury comeback of legendary quick Dale Steyn means Morkel might have played his last Test and fallen three wickets short of 300.

When asked if Morkel had played his final Test match for South Africa, Smith said he did not know but expects the “wonderful team man” to continue to play a role on the sidelines.

“Two Test matches left until he retires so there’s a lot that can happen,” Smith told cricket.com.au at St George’s Park. 

“He’s got to stay motivated. He’s had a great career, if that’s the case. 

“South Africa felt Ngidi was the better option here and (Proteas captain) du Plessis has backed the young man and so far he’s delivered. 

“It would obviously be a tough place for Morne, a long career and a successful one at that. 

“He’s a wonderful team man and I expect him to stay that way through his last two Tests.”

However, Morkel could earn a recall if fiery paceman Kagiso Rabada is hit with a Level 2 charge for his run-in with Australia skipper Steve Smith.

Having trapped Smith lbw, Rabada brushed the batsman’s shoulder as he celebrated the wicket of the world’s best Test batsman. 

Smith whirled around at Rabada after contact was made, a similar kind of avoidable contact that saw the fast bowler fined 50 per cent of his match fee and handed three demerit points when he rubbed shoulders with Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella in February last year.

Should he be charged for the same offence – a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct – Rabada, who has already been suspended one Test and has five demerit points on his disciplinary record, would be suspended for two Tests and miss the remainder of the series.

Rabada’s fate will likely not be known until after the match, but it could be a way for Morkel to don the Test whites once more and capture those three wickets he needs for 300.

Morkel’s replacement, Ngidi, was impressive in his first Test against Australia and produced the ball of the day to remove the tourists’ vice-captain for 63.

Along with Warner, Ngidi castled Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon to wrap up Australia’s innings for 243 after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat. 

Smith questioned whether Ngidi could handle the responsibility as the Proteas’ third seamer, but the youngster looked untroubled on a day dominated by fast bowling.

“(Ngidi) looked a little bit out of sorts coming up from the Park Drive End, running up the hill, but when he turned around and came from the Duckpond End running down his rhythm looked great, he bowled quick,” Smith said. 

“I wasn’t sure if he could swing the ball back into the left-hander and he proved me wrong. 

“He bowled a beauty to David Warner; wide of the crease, angled, nipped back, middle stump. 

“Warner was looking terrific at the time, playing so well, fought hard up front and just found his timing and his rhythm.

“That was one of the main wickets for South Africa.”

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage