MPCA: Former Australian ODI paceman Brett Geeves to play with Tootgarook

A former Australian fast bowler who dismissed AB de Villiers is set to play with an MPCA club.

Brett Geeves bowling at Australian cricket team training at the WACA in 2009.

He played for Australia alongside David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and co.

And now Brett Geeves will play with the Tootgarook Frogs in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

Geeves, who played two ODIs and a T20 International, will don the green and gold of Tootgarook for a one-off appearance against Tyabb in the last round of the season on March 9.

It’s come about through a friendship between Geeves and Tootgarook’s president Toby Maughan.

“We grew up together in Tassie,” Maughan said.

“We played a bit of junior cricket together.

“Basically I’ve thrown an offer out to him to come over and have a game of golf and have a game with us on the Saturday afternoon and then stick around for the sponsors and players function on the Saturday night.

“Basically I asked him as a mate. He knew this was my first year as president at Tootgarook. He thought we could have a bit of fun with it.

“It’s really good of him.

“He will be the first first-class or Australian player to ever play for Tootgarook.’’

Brett Geeves (left) with Tootgarook Cricket Club president Toby Maughan. Picture: Facebook

Geeves is a keen golfer who is off scratch and Maughan is hoping to arrange a round of golf at The National in Rye, and Tootgarook will auction off a couple of spots.

He said Geeves would also run a junior clinic at the Frogs on the Saturday before playing cricket.

A fast bowler who was briefly part of Australia’s short-form set-up, Geeves was called into Australia’s Test squad in 2009 as injury cover, although he never got a baggy green.

In a T20 International against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg in 2009, Geeves clean bowled AB de Villiers and also dismissed Herschelle Gibbs.

Maughan said Geeves was more likely to “roll out some offies” for Tootgarook but is taking the game seriously.

“He hasn’t played for a season,” he said.

“He retired last year from Glenorchy but he’s been training. Since he decided to come and have a hit he said he’s been having a bit of a go in the nets.”