Selectors back youth, and good on 'em

The elevation of Burt Cockley to the Australian ODI squad after only four one-dayers for his state is not necessarily a mistake, writes Peter Roebuck in the Sydney Morning Herald. He believes that promoting fast bowlers and batsmen with youth on their side is a bold and positive move.

Of course, the idea has been imperfectly applied. It is hard to justify putting Moises Henriques in front of a player as energetic and effective as Andrew McDonald. Yet the approach has much to commend it. Dirk Nannes and Shane Harwood are splendid bowlers, but what is the point? Cockley has strong shoulders, plenty of pace and can improve. Admittedly, he was a bolter but speedsters were going down like sprayed mozzies. Moreover, the alternatives were either seasoned campaigners or complete novices. Right or wrong, if it is part of a return to youth and aggression, it has merit.

In the Daily Telegraph, Nick Walshaw looks at the rapid rise Cockley has enjoyed.

It's a flight that represents a remarkable rise for this Blues speedster who never played A-grade in the Newcastle competition until he was 18. Who only came to Sydney at 21. Who was even forced to withdraw with injury from that one Australia A match he was selected in last year.