AFP, DURBAN: South African fast bowler Morne Morkel announced on Monday that he would retire from international cricket after the four-Test series against Australia which starts at Kingsmead on Thursday.

The tall paceman has played in 83 Tests, 117 one-day internationals and 44 Twenty20 internationals.

Morkel, 33, has taken 294 Test wickets and his tally across all formats is 529. Morkel said: “It was an extremely tough decision but I feel the time is right to start a new chapter.”

Morkel's decision means he will not be available for the World Cup in England next year.