Luke Feldman

Until last year Luke Feldman was best known as a policeman in the north Queensland country town of Charters Towers, and was a club player in Townsville. By the end of the 2009-10 season he was a fully-fledged, first-class cricketer after taking 30 Sheffield Shield wickets at 22.30 and gaining an invitation to the Academy.

He claimed three against West Indies in a tour game and was soon called for his Shield debut against Victoria in Melbourne. Once there, he made a mid-match, mid-night arrest after an intruder came into his hotel room. By that stage he'd already bowled Nick Jewell and was soon doing more damage. In February, he gained match figures of 9 for 81 against New South Wales, following his maiden five-wicket haul, and backed up with eight more breakthroughs facing South Australia. He was also responsible for a record 10th-wicket partnership of 120 with Chris Swan than won the tightest of games against Victoria.

It all led to a place at the Academy, where he impressed Greg Chappell, and a berth in Australia A's one-day squad for the winter series against Sri Lanka A. A former Australian Country player, he once grew 35cm in three months, a spurt which helped him turn into a fast bowler.
Cricinfo staff August 2010