Monday 21 May 2018 08:20, UK
Morne Morkel says the chance to sign a two-year deal with Surrey was a great opportunity for himself and his family.
The 33-year-old has retired from international cricket after 86 Tests and 309 wickets for South Africa, plus 117 one-day internationals and 44 T20 matches.
Having been a regular for South Africa from 2006 until the recent series win over Australia, Morkel admits it was a difficult decision to call it a day, but felt the time was right for a new start.
"It was sort of tricky," he told Sky Sports. "I felt the last year or two, I was in a purple patch with the ball, bowling really nicely.
"But I have got a young family and it was a family decision for me.
"I had 12 amazing years with the Proteas - the last six years, we have had an incredible culture.
"But it was touch and go for me, making the squad, in my personal mind, for the World Cup.
"The option to come and play in England was available and I thought, from a family point of view, it was the perfect thing, to base myself for the next couple of years in Surrey and London, and start a new chapter."
Morkel has yet to play his first match for Surrey but hopes to feature in the Royal London One Day Cup next week.
"Unfortunately I picked up an injury in the last Test match against the Aussies, quite a nasty side strain, and those sort of things for a fast bowler do take a bit of time," Morkel said.
"I am quite lucky, the medical staff here at Surrey have wrapped me in cotton wool, and they are really giving me the best opportunity to get back on to the field as soon as possible.
"I have got one more week of just getting my bowling loads in order and then probably start against Sussex next Tuesday."
England's Test summer starts against Pakistan on Thursday and Morkel thinks the tourists will have their work cut out.
"The first Test of the summer is always exciting, the build-up at Lord's is amazing," Morkel added.
"I feel Pakistan are missing a couple of senior players - last time they toured here, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq were big drivers in the changing room.
"I think they have got a bit of an inexperienced squad, so I think they are going to find it tough, especially early in the English summer when the ball is moving around a little bit."
