DARWIN, Aug 31: Tasmanian seamer Brett Geeves is one player who will remember Australia’s 180-run win over Bangladesh here on Saturday for more than just the sideshow surrounding the absence of Andrew Symonds.

While the volatile Symonds was on a plane back to Queensland after being dropped from the Australian squad for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting, Geeves was making the most of an unlikely international debut.

Geeves wasn’t even in Australia’s original 14-man squad for the three-match series, but he earned a late inclusion when paceman Brett Lee withdrew after the collapse of his marriage.

With Matthew Hayden then ruled out due to his Achilles problem, all-rounder Shane Watson suffering another injury setback and Symonds banished, the 26-year-old found himself suddenly making his One-day International debut.

Just 12 months after believing his first-class career was over, Geeves claimed 2-11 off five overs to cap a remarkable few days.

“I never thought I’d play for Australia... for it to happen is quite unbelievable,” he said on Sunday. “Playing for Australia – it’s every boy’s dream, so I’m very excited and if I can get another game in there at some stage it would be great.”

Geeves recalled that he was about to quit cricket to take a labouring job last year, after falling out of favour with Tasmanian selectors.

“I was really, really close [to retiring],” he said.“I was offered a job and I was going to take it and start on the Monday. But I spoke to my father and he said, ‘No, don’t. That would be pretty stupid.’—AFP