Departing fast bowler Morne Morkel has penned the following letter to Surrey supporters & Members after it was announced he would not return to The Kia Oval for the 2021 season.
Let me tell you about a team, a team called Surrey!
When I joined the brown caps in 2018, after retiring from international cricket, I was immediately blown away by the club’s professionalism and rich history.
Winning the County Championship in my first year at Surrey and soaking up the energy from our supporters and members – who are the heartbeat of the club – is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, the time has come to move onto a new chapter. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine requirements has made travel challenging and it is no longer feasible to spend large amounts of time away from home and my family.
It was a joy to go to work every morning over the past three seasons at Surrey, and that speaks volumes about the culture and environment at the club.
To Alec and the team – thank you for the warm welcome and constant inspiration. To the stars behind the scenes – the coaches, medical team, ground and admin staff – we are nothing without you and appreciate everything you do.
Surrey will forever be in my heart and I wish the team all the best for the coming season and beyond. I’ll be watching and supporting from afar.
Stay safe this winter,
Regards,
Morne Morkel
