Bichel closes on McDermott record

Andy Bichel is aiming to pass a couple of coveted Queensland milestones as he tries to bowl his side into the Pura Cup final next month. With three preliminary matches remaining, Bichel is only nine wickets away from passing Craig McDermott's 1989-90 record of 54 in a Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup season.

Bichel, who lost his Cricket Australia contract last April, has responded with a season of 46 victims and has a chance to collect more against South Australia's brittle batting order at the Gabba on Thursday. "Billy [McDermott] was a big influence on me as a young fast bowler coming up through the ranks and it would mean a lot if I was able to achieve something similar this season," Bichel said.

Bichel, who has 320 domestic first-class victims in 63 games, is only eight behind Jeff Thomson, the state's third-highest wicket-taker. "It was the same with Thommo - he was a great person to have around for a young quick and with the likes of him, Billy and Carl Rackemann around the nets, you were certainly learning from the best. As one of the senior players now, I know that it's part of the Bulls culture for me to help out the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Rimmington and Grant Sullivan."

Queensland are currently third on 28 points, behind New South Wales and Western Australia, while the Redbacks, who will be captained by Darren Lehmann, are last.

Queensland Jimmy Maher (capt), Brendan Nash, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Wade Seccombe (wk), Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Mitchell Johnson, Joe Dawes, Lachlan Stevens.

South Australia Darren Lehmann (capt), Graham Manou (wk), Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris, Nathan Adcock, Ryan Harris, Greg Blewett, Paul Rofe, Cameron Borgas, Tom Plant, Daniel Cullen, Shaun Tait.