However, the announcement brought bad news for his fellow Tasmanian, Tim Deavin, the former Launceston player narrowly missing out on a passage to India.

Ockenden, of Hobart, was considered a shoo-in, having starred in the Kookaburras' bronze-medal-winning performance at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when he was also named world young player of the year.

The 23-year-old also captained his country to Champions Trophy success last month as the team continued its record of winning every major international tournament since the

appointment of coach Ric Charlesworth in January 2009.

Having also claimed this year's world cup, the team will be looking to finish the year off by retaining the Commonwealth Games title it won in Melbourne four years ago.

The squad of 16 represented a major disappointment for the versatile Deavin, who had been earning rave reviews since bursting onto the international scene at the Azlan Shah

tournament in May.

Charlesworth said he had been impressed by the former Tamar Churinga player's physical development since committing full-time to hockey and relocating to Western Australia.

FULL STORY IN THE EXAMINER TOMORROW