Beau Webster’s parents go viral with 11th hour Facebook request

The parents of Australia’s newest Test debutant have gone viral with a wholesome last minute request posted on social media.

Beau Webster’s parents have won over the hearts of cricket fans with a wholesome request posted to social media.

Webster was named to make his debut for the New Year’s Test with Mitch Marsh axed from the squad on Thursday morning.

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The 31-year-old from Snug in Tasmania’s south will become Australia’s 469th Test cricketer, but his last minute call up threw a spanner in the works for his parents.

With less than 24 hours notice before the first ball of the fifth Test, Webster’s parents were forced into action to make it to Sydney.

In a Facebook post on the ‘West Hobart Good Karma Network page’ that has since gone viral, a friend of Tina and Rod Webster is seen chasing somebody to house sit in Mount Nelson and take care of the families two dogs.

“Unlikely but is anyone available for some house sitting starting tonight, for 4-5 nights?” the post read.

“Until at least Tuesday next week, possible a few more days after that. Would be looking after 2 dogs based in Mount Nelson.

“A friend’s son has been selected for the Australian cricket side!! So she’s off to Sydney at very short notice.”

Tina and Rod Webster are on their way to the SCG. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Webster will be presented his baggy green on Friday. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Webster is thoroughly deserving of the call up to the Australian XI having dominated the Sheffield Shield for two seasons.

The Tassie native has averaged 57.1 with the bat at first-class level since March 2022, while also taking 81 wickets at 31.7 during that time frame.

Last summer, he scored 938 runs at 58.62 which included three centuries and saw him snare 30 wickets to guide Tasmania into the Sheffield Shield final.

His otherworldly output, with both the bat and ball, in a Sheffield Shield campaign has only been bettered by one cricketer - West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers.

He becomes the first Tasmanian to earn a baggy green since batsmen Alex Doolan, who made his debut in 2014.

Marsh out, Webster in. Picture : David Geraghty

Webster made his first class debut back in 2014 and has toiled away in Tasmania’s batting order while being utilised as a part time spin bowler.

But in a move that paid off in a big way, Webster gave up the spin and reinvented himself to become a pace bowler.

Over the course of the past two seasons, the 200cm all-rounder has Tasmania’s best player and one of the best players within the Sheffield Shield.

Australian captain Pat Cummins said Webster’s bowling was a key factor in him being rewarded with his debut.

“It’s always nice to have a fifth bowler,” Cummins said.

“Firstly, if you’re going to bat six, you’re picked for your batting, which he’s shown in Shield over the last couple years when he takes the game on, and he’s really changed some games for Tasmania.

“That pace bowling of Beau’s going to be handy.”

Webster is a serious threat with the ball in hand. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Webster made himself impossible to ignore as the best player in November’s Australia A series against India, notching 145 runs at 72.50 while taking seven wickets at 19.57.

On Thursday the reigning Sheffield Shield player of the season finally earnt his call up, a move that has been a long time coming according to Shane Watson.

“Beau’s been slamming down that door,” Watson said to reporters on Thursday.

“He’s been knocking very hard with his performances over the last couple of years.

“He’s been very consistent with the bat and very consistent with the ball as well. His bowling’s only getting better and better.

“He’s certainly done everything he needed to do.

He’s even more damaging with the willow. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“It’s a big moment for Beau Webster and for Tassie Cricket to know that they’ve produced another world-class player.

“Webster’s been flying high for quite a while, so it’s a perfect opportunity to be able to get him in.

“And now with the calibre of players that he’s got around him, what a time to be able to come into the Australian team.”

While all eyes may be locked in on wunderkind Sam Konstas, Webster won’t be far from the spotlight.

The fifth Test between Australia and India gets underway at the SCG on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.