Morne Morkel bowed out of international cricket in style as South Africa registered a historic 3-1 series victory against Australia by winning the fourth and final Test by a mammoth 492 runs, their highest victory run margin in history.
The 33-year-old was in the thick of the action as he bowled what would become the final delivery of the series, where Aiden Markram effected the run out which would bring the contest, as well as a 12-year Test career, to a close.
Twitter was filled with tributes for the South African legend, including prominent names from the cricketing fraternity. The heartwarming messages were led by his brother Albie Morkel, who congratulated his younger brother for his “success story”.
Here are some of the best tweets:
Well done brother @mornemorkel65. End of a real success story. In the end family wins.. Enjoy life!
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) April 3, 2018
Congratulations @mornemorkel65 on an amazing international career! One of the all time great men of cricket and someone who has never sought the limelight but deserves it all! Enjoy having him home a bit more often @Roz_Kelly
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) April 3, 2018
Congrats on a wonderful career @mornemorkel65. Fine, fine cricketer but even better bloke. Surely the mark of a mans achievements. Enjoy the next chapter mate.
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) April 3, 2018
Big congratulations to @mornemorkel65 on a fantastic test career. A true gentleman of the game!! There will be a lot of happy international batsmen around the world knowing they don’t have to face him any longer!!! Best wishes for the future
— Mike Hussey (@mhussey393) April 3, 2018
Well done Proteas. Great series win against Aus. Congrats @mornemorkel65 on a fantastic career.
— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) April 3, 2018
Congratulations to @mornemorkel65 on a wonderful career and to @OfficialCSA for their series victory
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) April 3, 2018
History was made…congrats to everyone involved but special mention to the man holding the trophy @mornemorkel65 .we gonna miss u tall man ❤️ 3-1🇿🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/Yde7QYgPaN
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) April 4, 2018
Wishing @mornemorkel65 a very fulfilling and happy life post his retirement from international Cricket. Went about quietly doing his job , but was a great competitor and always gave his best. Congratulations on a wonderful career.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 3, 2018
A series with many descriptions; bizarre, emotional, heated, competitive… you name it!Unforgettable to say the least. I thought the cricket that was played was remarkable, and that should take center stage. What a send off for @mornemorkel65 GO FORTH!😌🏅🏆
— Kagiso Rabada (@KagisoRabada25) April 4, 2018
Fought really really hard in his career, great competitor and the nicest human being. Wish you a happy retirement @mornemorkel65
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) April 3, 2018
It has been a fairytale finish for @mornemorkel65.. what a player, friend, ambassador, role model and you can be so proud of yourself for an outstanding career.! Privileged to have played alongside you. #legend
— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) April 3, 2018
A perfect send-off for a man who deserved every bit of it. Congratulations, @mornemorkel65, on a career greater in height than you. Wishing you tons of luck for your second innings. 👌✌️ pic.twitter.com/k0VBzssCrz
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/981351904989999105
One of the great guys leaves Test Cricket Today … @mornemorkel65 … Well done and good luck with wherever you end up playing … #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 3, 2018
Test cricket is alive and kicking. Congrats @OfficialCSA on a great series win. Fitting send off to a true champion @mornemorkel65 clinical as always by #TheSurgeon @VDP_24 congrats on the #200club brother. Awesome work @faf1307 and co. #ProteaFire #Spirited #SAvAUS
— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) April 3, 2018
The smiles and joy.. reward for a hard fought series win #historic
The legend of SA cricket with the trophy @mornemorkel65 #Godspeed bro pic.twitter.com/j1O9Da5JtF— hashim amla (@amlahash) April 3, 2018
Enjoy hanging those size 14 boots up @mornemorkel65 ! You have shown great character and humility while achieving so much. A true champion.🍾
— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) April 3, 2018
When cricket has been your life, it isn't easy to say good-bye. Wish @mornemorkel65 the very best.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 3, 2018
So,492 runs is the margin of defeat for Australia. Before that Saturday evening, it looked such a close series,but Australia found it impossible to maintain the intensity post the ball tampering saga. Congratulations to Morne Morkel on a great career, giant ,unsung hero. #SAvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 3, 2018
Congrats @mornemorkel65 on a fantastic career.all the best for your future endeavours
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) April 3, 2018
Congratulations on a brilliant career buddy @mornemorkel65 👍🏻
— @BrettLee_58 (@BrettLee_58) April 4, 2018
Well done on ur wonderful international cricket career mate @mornemorkel65 wish u all the luck for life ahead
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/AllanDonald33/status/981125825390137345
Congrats to @mornemorkel65 on a fine international career! Don’t like to heap too much praise on the opposition 😝😉, but now he’s retired can say he’s a top bloke off the field too 🙌🏼 Fully deserves all the plaudits!
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) April 3, 2018
Congratulations @mornemorkel65 on an amazing international career!
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35) April 3, 2018
So long @mornemorkel65, and thanks for the memories. You did yourself, team, country and the game of cricket proud
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 3, 2018
Massive Congratulations to @mornemorkel65 on a Great career! Been a true inspiration.🥇& welldone to the whole @OfficialCSA Proteas Squad on some unbelievable performances and a great series win!🏆🥇🇿🇦 #SAvAUS #ProteaFire
— Sibonelo Makhanya (@Sibzmakhanya) April 3, 2018
