Tykes swoop for Morkel as cover

LONDON—Yorkshire have announced that South African paceman Morne Morkel will act as cover for Pakistan seamer Rana Naved during part of the 2008 season.
Naved joined the county having been surplus to requirements at Sussex but is recovering from a shoulder injury.
Morkel, 23, who has 19 wickets in nine one-day internationals, will be on a week-to-week contract with the Tykes. “It’ll be great to play under a captain like Darren Gough and I know I can learn a lot from him,” he said.
Morkel will link up again with compatriot Jacques Rudolph, who is at Yorkshire as a Kolpak player (meaning “any citizen of a country with an associate agreement” with the European Union has the same rights as a European worker) and recommended him to the club.
I am excited about the opportunity to play for such an historic and important club, Morkel said.
Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan was pleased to secure the services of the highly-rated young fast bowler.
“Morne Morkel is a quality acquisition and a very talented prospect,” he said. “We are pleased to have secured his services and he will provide excellent cover for Rana Naved during the first part of the season. “He is highly regarded by Geoffrey Boycott who tells me that he can bowl very quickly indeed. I’ve also spoken to Jacques Rudolph, who has been impressed by Morne’s performances and is looking forward to playing with him at Headingley.”
Morkel, younger brother of South Africa one-day all-rounder Albie, has only played one Test match thus far, taking 3-86 against India in December 2006.
He captured 4-36 in the recent 5-0 one-day series whitewash against West Indies.
“Although it is a short-term deal I am excited about the opportunity to play for such an historic and important club,” Morkel added.—Agencies