Morne morkel

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 06: Morne Morkel during the South African national cricket team training session and press conference at PPC Newlands on February 06, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Morne Morkel to return to starting XI in the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin

Morne Morkel will return to Test cricket for the first time in over 12 months.

Morne morkel

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 06: Morne Morkel during the South African national cricket team training session and press conference at PPC Newlands on February 06, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Faf du Plessis has confirmed that Morne Morkel will return to the Test XI for the first time since January 2016.

Morkel has struggled with a string of injuries in recent months, but Du Plessis confirmed that the lanky pace bowler will make his comeback when South Africa and New Zealand square off in the first of three Tests in Dunedin on Wednesday.

He looks good. If he is not going to be able play now, then we will never know if we don’t take the chance. He is a fantastic bowler,” Du Plessis said.

“I have said to him over the last six months that every time he has bowled in the nets, it felt to me like he was bowling at his best. His consistency is really good.

“It’s just an opportunity we have to take as a team and see where Morne is with his back. All the reports say he is 100% fine. He’s bowled a lot of overs and he is pretty confident. He will just have to step out and see what he can do.”

Morkel has a decent record in New Zealand, having played three Tests in the country, taking 27 wickets at an average of 23.00. He will partner with Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj in the bowling attack.