Aussie Tests to be Morkel's farewell

Proteas paceman Morne Morkel has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket following the upcoming four-Test series against Australia.

The 33-year-old veteran of 83 Tests, 117 one-day internationals and 44 T20 internationals in a career spanning 12 years cited family commitments as the main reason for his decision.

He said he would continue to play in cricket leagues around the world, with his options to include the IPL - where he went unsold at this year's auction - Australia's Big Bash League, and English county cricket where he has previously been linked with speculation for a Kolpak contract. Morkel's wife, Australian Roz Kelly, was part of Network 10's coverage of the KFC BBL last summer and the couple have a young son, Arias.

"Cricket is what I love," Morne told reporters in Durban today at a press conference.

"Playing for the Proteas is something very special (but) family comes first.

"For clarity's sake I've got a young family, I have a foreign wife. I still feel great mentally and physically and yes, I will still be playing in other leagues around the world."

When asked about a favourite memory representing South Africa, winning big series away from home came to his mind.

"When I made my debut in 2006 against India was very special," he said of the Test match at Durban where he took 3-86 and hit innings of 31 not out and 27.

"Becoming the No.1 Test team, beating Australia in Australia, England in England, so many right now running through my mind."

Morkel, who has taken 294 wickets in 83 Tests, says he's now focused on ticking one final item off his bucket list – breaking Australia's undefeated Test series record in South Africa that dates back to the Proteas' readmission into international cricket more than 25 years ago.

"We've beaten Australia in Australia but I haven't been part of a team to get one over them in our own backyard," he said.

"That will be the main focus. But the main thing is it's not about my retirement it's about winning the series.

"That's also one of the reasons why I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible. It's now cricket time, it's now work time."

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja played one Test against Morkel – in 2011 – and joked he had already tried to lure the towering quick to Queensland.

"He's a world-class bowler, he has been for a long time," Khawaja said. "Even more so he's a great bloke.

"Every time I see him off the field he's always smiling, always saying hello.

"It's really nice to see that when you meet someone for the first time.

"I wish him all the best.

"We just bumped into each other just then and I told him Queensland is a beautiful state if he ever wants to move over."

At 1.96m and with speeds in the upper 140kph range at his peak, Morkel was able to generate awkward bounce that troubled many of the world's top batsmen. He famously gave Michael Clarke a torrid working over at Cape Town in that epic 2014 series, leaving the Australia captain with a chipped collarbone.

He initially struggled to cement his spot in the Proteas Test team following that 2006 debut against India, but did play a key role in the 2008 series win in England.

He was dropped from the side in 2009 when the Australians lead by blistering performances from Mitchell Johnson and those famous twin-centuries to the late Phillip Hughes dominated.

It was following Makhaya Ntini's retirement when Morkel really stepped into the spotlight as Dale Steyn's new-ball partner, taking 49 Test wickets in 2010.

He dismissed Michael Hussey and Andrew Strauss eight times apiece to make them his favourite batsmen to bowl at.

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3