Heartwarming reason behind Test debutant Beau Webster’s eye-catching earring

Test debutant Beau Webster stood out with an assured start to his Test career for Australia at the SCG but for some, a shiny earring on his left ear caught the eye even more.

In the second tier of the Don Bradman Stand at the SCG, Rod Webster found himself waiting patiently for the glass doors to open out towards the famous ground.

While hundreds of fans sat happily inside the bar with a beer in hand, Webster was swimming against the tide trying to get back to his seat as quickly as possible.

Following a short bathroom break, the Tasmanian was stuck inside as his son, Beau Webster, began his second-ever spell in Test cricket.

It had already been a successful morning with the 31-year-old taking two solid catches in the cordon on his debut. By tea, he had also bowled more overs than Mitchell Marsh had in Adelaide and Brisbane combined.

But Rod couldn’t risk missing a single moment.

“It’s a bit surreal for me, sitting up here watching my son playing out in the centre,” Rod Webster said.

Beau Webster was straight into the action for Australia on his Test debut. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s not nervous at all. I was a little bit nervous and my wife was quite nervous. But I had a lot of faith in him that he was going to be okay.

“(I’ve) never been to the SCG – the only ground I haven’t been at and it’s magnificent. It’s a great spectacle, isn’t it? A full house is great.”

After finding out 24 hours earlier that Beau was set to receive his baggy green and play in front of 46,000 fans, Rod and wife Tina dropped everything in a whirlwind race to get to Sydney.

Tina and Rod Webster dropped everything to get to Sydney for son Beau’s Test debut. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Airbnb property they manage had to be handed off for the week. The two dogs, Eddie and Frank – the latter of which is owned by Beau – were offloaded to family members with instructions in hand.

But nothing was going to stop the pair from getting to the SCG. And while Rod thought the opportunity might never arrive for Beau, he knows it’s recognition for years of dedication.

“I actually thought his time had gone past,” Rod said.

“He plays a lot of Sheffield Shield cricket, played a lot of first-class cricket, but I thought he was getting a bit older and maybe his time’s gone.

“But he’s had a great last couple of years and I think he thoroughly deserves his spot. There’s a certain amount of right time, right place with getting a game, especially for Australia, and it’s worked out well for him so far.

“I think he got lucky (bowling first) because I wouldn’t like to be out here and having to bat first coming in at 4-30, that would have been hectic. At least he’s had a chance to bowl on a good wicket, take a few catches and feel like he’s probably in the game now.

“(Cricket) is his job. He’s been playing for over 10 years now as a professional cricketer…He’s had 10 years now and he’s got to this stage. It’s never easy for anyone to get that far. I’m really proud of him. He’s stuck with it. He loves it.”

Beau Webster takes a catch to dismiss Virat Kohli. Picture: Getty Images

Beau Webster celebrates with Sam Konstas after catching Virat Kohli. Picture: Getty Images

Webster was presented with his baggy green cap by another all-rounder with hands like buckets, the great Mark Waugh.

Honoured to be asked by Australian coach Andrew McDonald to make the presentation, especially when there was a Tasmanian great Ricky Ponting in the house, Waugh had tongue firmly in cheek when he said there was no pressure on Webster.

“He’s got a lot to live up to, I got a 100 on my Test debut,” Waugh jokingly told this masthead.

“I was actually pretty nervous. I just said, sometimes when you’re actually playing you sort of take it for granted that you’re playing for Australia. It’s when you finish and you look back you think how special it really is. So I just said make the most of every moment.

“He’s a good cricketer. Got great hands, good catcher, bowls handy spin and pace and he’s a good hitter at No.6. He’s deserved his spot.”

Beau Webster (right) was presented with his baggy green by Mark Waugh. Picture: Getty Images

Webster’s start to Test life has looked as assured as any debutant in recent history, relishing the chance to make a name for himself at third slip.

But his selection is just as much about his own form as it is a testament to Tasmanian cricket, something that isn’t lost on the all-rounder.

“My phone’s been blowing up the past 24 hours with plenty of messages of support from not only in Tasmania but from all over the world,” Beau Webster said.

“It’s always nice to come from a small town or a small place in Tasmania and represent the country. There haven’t been too many over the journey.

“I love Tasmania, I’m Tasmanian through and through and to be able to put on a show for them and put them on the map and really do what I can for the state makes me really proud.”

Although Webster already stands out at 200cm tall, for some, a shiny earring on his left ear caught the eye even more.

Rather than a fashion statement or an homage to another former Tasmanian Tiger in Colin ‘Funky’ Miller, it’s simply another connection to his family – particularly with his brother Jordan who is thousands of kilometres away watching his debut off a dodgy live stream in Buenos Aires.

Beau Webster's earring caught the eye of cricket fans.

“His mother bought a set of earrings and she gave one to Beau and one to his older brother and they both wear them,” Rod said.

“I think just out of respect for their mother…a lot of people comment on that a bit.

“I wouldn’t say Beau’s all that out there, but that’s just one thing that he’s sort of stuck to.

“He’s put Snug on the map at the moment. A lot of people have never ever heard of Snug, a little town 20km out of Hobart…it sounds like they’re celebrating today as well.”