Former Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel has been named captain of the Durban Heat, ahead of the inaugural Mzansi Super League.

‘I have played my cricket in Pretoria for 15 years so I have become very comfortable with that environment, so it is going to be an exciting challenge,’ said the Titans star.

‘We aren’t changing franchises or anything like that, this competition is completely new with completely new squads, so it’s not going to be difficult to try and convince guys to get behind the team.’

The Heat will boast the services of Proteas marquee player Hashim Amla, the hard-hitting David Miller, former Test seamer Kyle Abbott, Zimbabwe leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta, Afghanistan star Rashid Khan and others.

‘I’m not walking in there thinking that I know everything. I have a lot of senior players to get help from and I am sure we will form a nice leadership group with all the senior guys,’ added Morkel.

‘I’ll have the help of those guys but it will be up to me to make the calls on the field.’

Durban Heat head coach Grant Morgan is looking forward to the leadership of Morkel, who was capped 109 times at international level and forged a successful Indian Premier League career with the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

‘He has an incredible T20 track record that includes winning big T20 tournaments,’ added Morgan.

‘He has the respect of his players and he is a player that will be picked in the starting XI. His T20 experience around the world is virtually unparalleled which is another massive plus for us.’

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