Far Northern player helps Bulls to win
A POLICE constable who honed his craft in the Far North has helped Queensland secure a miraculous victory against Victoria in their Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba yesterday.
Former Innisfail and Mulgrave fast bowler Luke Feldman became an unlikely batting hero for the Bulls by sharing in an amazing 58-run last-wicket stand with fellow tailender Chris Swan.
Feldman (27 not out) walked to the crease at 9-194 with the victory target of 251 a distant aim.
"To tell you the truth I was s----ing myself," Feldman told The Cairns Post yesterday.
"I was very nervous. He (coach Trevor Barsby) told me just to play my natural game.
"If it's up there hit it and if it's short try and play it straight, and that's what I did.
"It was very hostile out there in the middle. The Vic bowlers gave it to me. I don't think I've ever had to duck and weave so much in my life.
"But it was a case of the old bull and the young bull getting us home."
The history-making win moved the Bulls to 26 points on the Sheffield Shield table - only four points behind Victoria and nine points clear of third-place Tasmania.
With the Bulls' final two matches of the season at the Gabba, Feldman said finishing on top of the ladder and earning a home final was not out of the question.
"There's a good feeling in this group. We always back ourselves no matter what," he said.
"Everyone kind of wrote us off when we needed 80-odd to win but it just goes to show you can never write a Queenslander off."
Not even a short rain delay could disrupt the Bulls' charge.
"I was saying (to Feldman), '20 runs until we're immortal' when we came out after the rain delay," Swan said.
Feldman made his debut for the Bulls against the West Indies last November and has since played five first-class matches, taking 19 wickets at 24.15.
The 25-year-old moved to Brisbane seven months ago to pursue his cricket career and has not regretted the decision.
"It's been a dream come true what's happened," Feldman said.
"I pinch myself every day I get to wear the maroon baggy cap."
After celebrating yesterday's win with teammates, Feldman headed to QSAC stadium in Brisbane last night to watch ACDC in concert.
"The only way this day could get any better was if I threw my maroon cap to Angus Young and he put it on while he was on stage," Feldman said.
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How sweet it is: Luke Feldman celebrates the unlikely victory. Picture: MARK CALLEJA
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