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Morne Morkel, a former Proteas pacer, has been hired by New Zealand to serve on the coaching staff for the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, which begins on February 10.

Morkel recently served as a member of the Namibia coaching staff for the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. He will now serve as the “tour coach” for the New Zealand women’s team during the major competition, providing fast bowling and overall coaching support. Morkel, who is currently the bowling coach of the Durban Super Giants in the first-ever SA20 league, will join the White Ferns team before the first group match against Australia.

Given the game’s rapid expansion, Morkel said he is excited about the chance to get coaching expertise in the women’s game.

For Morkel, the chance to become a member of the White Ferns team and participate in the women’s game was an obvious choice. The women’s game is expanding so quickly worldwide, and this is a terrific chance for him to get experience in the women’s game and impart his understanding of international cricket to help this squad improve.

Between 2006 and 2018, Morkel participated in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20 Internationals for South Africa, taking 544 wickets. The pacer represented his nation in eight World Cups and competed in international T20 tournaments like the IPL, T20 Blast, and Big Bash League.

Morkel was greeted by Sawyer, who noted that his understanding of the local weather will be an invaluable asset for his team in the World Cup.

On Friday, January 20, New Zealand must announce its World Cup roster before leaving the following Monday for South Africa (January 23).

Following their first match on February 11 against the defending champions, New Zealand will play the hosts South Africa on February 13, Bangladesh on February 17, and Sri Lanka on February 19 in their remaining group matches.