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Donald pleads for Morkel NOT to take Kolpak deal

Cape Town - Former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald has pleaded with Morne Morkel not to move abroad, urging him to stay in the country.

Morkel, who will turn 33 in October, has acknowledged that his time with the Proteas is drawing to a close.

Soon after arriving home from their disappointing tour to England, Morkel told the media that he is "fully committed" to playing for the Proteas.

Morkel was named as the Proteas' man-of-the-series after picking up 19 wickets at an average of 26.36 in the four-Test series.

However, on Sunday, a report on ESPNCricinfo revealed that Morkel is being targeted by three English counties for potentially signing a Kolpak deal.

According to the report, one of those counties is believed to be Warwickshire, with a London club also interested.

Morkel is also understood to be "considering his options".

In the past year, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has lost several Proteas, including David Wiese, Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Ingram, Stiaan van Zyl, Simon Harmer, Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen to Kolpak deals.

Following the rumours, Donald told the Titans' official website that the Proteas need Morkel and that the fast bowler should not "reconsider his future".

"Give him what he wants. Let him retire on his terms," said Donald.

"We need him this summer. I have not seen him bowl this well for many, many seasons.

"There's no doubt Morkel is world-class. It is just a shame that he did not take bucket loads of wickets in England because he deserved it," Donald said.

"He beat the bat on countless occasions without reward."

Morkel has played 78 Tests and taken 272 wickets for the Proteas to date.

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