King's XI Punjab sign New South Wales rookie

New South Wales fast bowler Burt Cockley has been signed by the King's XI Punjab for the 2009 IPL season. Cockley, 22, will join fellow Australians Brett Lee, James Hopes, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach and Simon Katich among the franchise's 10 international players.

Cockley has played only five first-class matches and two List A games for New South Wales and hasn't made a Twenty20 appearance for his state yet. Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody said that Cockley's appeal was his ability to bowl fast.

"He's got genuine pace," Moody told the Sydney Morning Herald at the start of the month. "We're aware that he hasn't played any Twenty20 cricket, but we know that one of the ingredients for a successful side is to have someone who can bowl upwards of 140 kilometres an hour. He's got that, and with a bit of experience and a bit of exposure, he can continue to grow."

Cockley hoped that his IPL experience would enhance his prospects at New South Wales. "I hope that playing in the IPL will improve my chances of playing more for NSW," he said. "It can only improve my cricket, playing with such good players and learning and getting experience."