Morkel 'one of the most underrated'

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has labelled retiring South Africa paceman Morne Morkel as "one of the most underrated players in the world".

Morkel announced on Monday that the Proteas’ upcoming four-Test series against Australia, starting Thursday in Durban, will be his final fling in international cricket.

The towering quick has played 83 Tests and captured 294 wickets since making his debut at Kingsmead in 2006, and Waugh says batsmen around the world will be rejoicing in seeing the back of the menacing fast bowler.

"He’s been terrorising batsmen for a long time,” Waugh said from Monaco where he’s attending the Laureus Sports Awards.

"The thing I like about Morne is that he’s a fantastic bowler who is very respectful of the game. He’s a very humble person.

"I didn’t play against him, but I just like the way he plays the game. He just tears in every ball and gives it everything.

"He's one of the most underrated players in the world."

Having beaten Australia in Australia, Morkel said on Monday he’s focused on beating Australia on home soil, a feat no South African team has accomplished since 1970.

Waugh believes the timing of Morkel’s retirement announcement could further inspire and motivate the Proteas to knock off the Australians.

"South Africa will play with more emotion, I think, and they’ll want to win for him," said Waugh.

"He’s been such a good team man. I’m sure our batsmen wish he could have retired one series earlier."

South Africa opener Dean Elgar said Morkel’s retirement caught the Proteas off guard.

"I think it’s a bit of a shock because you don’t expect a guy to be retiring so soon,” Elgar told reporters in Durban on Tuesday.

"He’s been playing 12 years of professional cricket but I guess that’s a long time in its own right.

"I’m sure each individual would feel he’s still got a lot more to give.

"Being as it may, we respect his decision and he’s provided South African cricket with 12 years of unbelievable professionalism within the side.

"His hard work he’s done on the field and off the field is a massive credit to him."

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. Live coverage

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

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage