Burt Cockley, a young fast bowler from Newcastle, is a former New South Wales Country representative who stormed to the top of the state's Sheffield Shield wicket list in 2008-09. With injuries and international commitments cutting into the attack, Cockley stepped up with 27 victims at 22.18 in seven games and by the end of the summer was picked up by IPL side King's XI Punjab.

In his third first-class encounter he returned 5 for 84 and soon improved on that with 5 for 76 against Queensland to show he could make it at domestic level. He was even flown in as cover for an injury ravaged Australian one-day side in India in November 2009. However, he was diagnosed with back stress fractures shortly after his return, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Cockley appeared in his maiden Shield match in 2007-08, playing against Tasmania, and collected two wickets on the way to gaining a state contract. A member of the Randwick Petersham club, Cockley has been a groundsman at North Sydney Oval.
Cricinfo staff August 2010