Proud parents Rod and Tina Webster set to see son Beau make Test debut for Australia on Friday

The proud parents of Australian Test debutant Beau Webster made a mad dash to Sydney on Thursday night, intent on being on the SCG turf to see their son handed his baggy green.

Tina and Rod Webster, the parents of Beau Webster, flew out of Hobart on Thursday bound for the Sydney Test to watch their youngest son make his Australian debut. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

When he received the news of his son’s impending Test debut, the memories of long summer nights spent in the backyard “throwing balls to a cricket-loving Beau” came flooding back for Rod Webster.

A relatively normal day on Thursday became one neither he nor wife Tina would ever forget when they received the news that son Beau would be making his Test debut against India on Friday.

Thrust into the Australian squad ahead of the Adelaide Test back in December, Webster is set to replace fellow all-rounder Mitch Marsh in the starting XI for the fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He becomes the first Tasmanian born player since Alex Doolan in 2014, to make his Test debut.

An out-of-form Mitchell Marsh (left) makes way for Beau Webster (right) in the starting Australian XI. Picture: David Geraghty.

Webster’s selection comes off the back of a stellar run of form for Tasmania, which included being named the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year last February after a record breaking season for the Tigers.

And while all Webster had already achieved made those long summer nights well worth it, being on the SCG as their youngest son realises a boyhood dream is set to bring a greater sense of pride for both Rod and Tina.

“It’s been a while, it’s been a long journey for him, but he’s got there, which is fantastic,” Rod said.

“He’s put in the hard yards over the course of 10 or so years, really.

“It’ll be a very emotional but happy moment. A baggy green is such a revered thing in Australian sport and I’m sure our biggest feeling will be one of pride when he takes the field on Friday.

“I was no different to most cricket dads around the country. Plenty of long nights with the bat and the ball right across the summer, not knowing where it’s going to end up.

“But, after all this time, even before this achievement, it’s certainly been worth it.”

The weekend plans of Webster’s parents were well and truly thrown out the window following Thursday’s announcement, with the pair jumping on a flight out of Hobart later that day.

They’ll be two of many of Webster’s biggest supporters at a sold-out SCG on Friday, along with fiancée Madeline, but with brother Jordan based overseas, it means his oldest batting partner won’t be able to attend.

The Webster brothers, Beau (14) and Jordan (17), ahead of making their club debuts for Kingborough in 2008. Picture: James Kerr

“Jordan would love to be there,” Rod said.

“He’s had a lot to do with Beau’s journey. He was the guy at the other end of the pitch, bowling balls to him and playing cricket with Beau when they were kids.

“He was quite a good cricketer himself and I know he’s really proud of Beau. He’d love to be there to watch him but hopefully this is the first of many and he gets that chance at some stage.”

One man who will get the chance to see Webster’s debut is longtime friend and former housemate, Alex Vincent.

The pair were separated by three years at high school but connected through their time spent at local club Kingborough and while he may be gearing up for a return to the pitch on Saturday for that same club, the chance to watch his great mate achieve the ultimate success was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“To be able to watch his journey, all the ups and downs, and now see him come out on the other side of it is probably what I’m most proud of him for,” Vincent said.