‘The backing of an entire state’: Anticipation builds for Tasmania’s latest Test debutant in Beau Webster

When Beau Webster makes his Test debut for Australia on Friday, the loveable larrikin from a small Tasmanian town is set to have the backing of an entire state. Here’s why those closest to him aren’t shocked by his selection.

He’s described by those closest to him as everything from a wonderful young man to a change room larrikin, so there’s no surprise of the overriding sense of joy many of Beau Webster’s biggest supporters felt when news dropped of his impending Test debut for Australia on Friday.

Affectionately known as ‘the Slug from Snug’, Webster is the story of hard work and dedication from a local Tasmanian boy who’s set to live out his boyhood dream when he’s presented with baggy green 469 in the middle of the SCG on Friday morning.

A player who’s always possessed extreme talent and dedication to his craft, it’s the form and character he’s developed over the last 24 months in Tasmania’s domestic line-up that’s made many outside the state take notice.

One man that’s experienced that up-close and personal is Tasmanian Tigers coach Jeff Vaughan, who heaped nothing but praise on the 31 year-old on Thursday.

“I think the whole (Cricket Tasmania) program, and largely the whole state will be incredibly proud of him, and incredibly pleased for him,” Vaughan said.

Beau Webster at training on Thursday following the news he would be making his debut on Friday. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“He’s done a lot of hard yards over a decade or more. For some, it probably feels like he’s an overnight success, but for those that have been close to Beau, they know he’s been through so much in his professional and personal journey.

“He’ll be excited, he’ll be nervous and there’ll be some form of uncertainty, but I think deep down he’ll have full faith and trust in his method and he’ll back that in, which will give him the greatest chance of success.

“It’s thoroughly deserved for a wonderful young man.”

Webster will join a long line of Tasmanian born players to pull on the baggy green, with one of those current Cricket Tasmania chairman David Boon.

“For Beau to be given this opportunity in such an important match in the series against India shows the belief the Australian selectors have in him and his ability, and I know that he will do our state proud,” Boon said.

“For any aspiring young Tasmanian, Beau’s selection shows that hard work, consistency, and a willingness to continue to improve will create positive results and that there is a pathway for Tasmanians to play on the biggest stage.”

While his state commitments have largely taken up most of his time over the last decade, it hasn’t stopped Webster from continuing to both play and give back to his local club, the Kingborough Knights.

After coming up through the ranks in Snug, Webster joined the Knights as an under 15s player and has continued to be a staple at the Twin Ovals ever since.

“The club is just rapt for him,” Kingborough president Jeff Ross said.

“We were all wanting it to happen, and hoping it would happen, so to be able to see him take the field tomorrow will just be amazing.

“The great thing about Beau is that despite all he’s achieved, he is always around the club and gets back when he can. We are proud to call him a Kingborough player as I’m sure everyone is proud to call him a fellow Tasmanian.”

Former Tasmanian teammate Sam Rainbird (right), pictured here with Webster, was full of praise for the 31 year-old’s journey on Thursday. (AAP Image/Darren England).

Those sentiments were well and truly echoed by Webster’s former Tasmanian teammate and close friend Sam Rainbird.

“You’d be silly not to say that this doesn’t mean more for some people because he’s from Tassie,” Rainbird said.

“It’s pretty special watching someone from our state do well and represent Australia.

“Beau’s story is a great one of resilience and I think he’ll have the backing of an entire state over the next five days.”