Aussie cricket star’s parents go viral with heartwarming Facebook request as their son gets ready for Test debut

The parents of Australian cricket star Beau Webster have gone viral following a public call-to-arms to look after their dogs ahead of the all-rounder’s Test debut against India at the SCG.

Webster, 31, is a straight swap in the XI for Mitch Marsh – and his call-up caught his mum and dad off-guard in Tasmania.

In a Facebook post on the West Hobart Good Karma Network page, a friend of Tina and Rod Webster posted on their behalf asking someone 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.’

The post was also shared on X – and cricket fans loved it.

‘Hope someone pulled through..Surprised the old man didn’t throw the labradors on the plane with him,’ one said in response.

Another stated: ‘That’s amazing.’

A third cheekily weighed in with: ‘Mitch Marsh is free.’

Webster will become the nation’s 469th Test player at the SCG on Friday, as the Aussies look to claim the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

As recently as March 2022, Webster averaged 29.54 in first-class cricket, having moved up and down Tasmania’s batting order while also bowling part-time off spin.

But following a breakthrough 164no against Queensland in the final round of the 2021-22 Sheffield Shield season, Webster’s career has changed.

Consistency has followed, with Webster averaging 57.10 in first-class cricket as well as doubling his tally of career centuries and half-centuries.

‘For some it probably feels like a bit of an overnight success,’ Tasmania’s coach Jeff Vaughan said.

‘But he has been playing first-class cricket for almost a decade.’

The 31-year-old’s journey to a baggy green is one of the most unique in Australian cricket this century.

Since 2000, only Bryce McGain has debuted for Australia at an older age in Test cricket without having played a white-ball international in their 20s.

Webster’s decision to take up medium-pace bowling during COVID and make use of his two-metre-frame has also been crucial, given he can back up Australia’s trio of quicks against India.

But skipper Pat Cummins pointed out Webster had won his Test spot based on his batting, after topping the Shield’s run-scoring charts last summer.

‘Once players get to a certain age they have been through all their trials and errors and mistakes from a technical sense,’ Vaughan said.

‘He’s worked on a hell of a lot over the journey. He has got to understand his own technique, and he knows he is unique. But he has absolute faith in the way he plays.’

Webster’s multi-faceted bowling looms as a handy asset for Australia in Sri Lanka next month, while the team’s transition means there could be room for both he and a fit-again Cameron Green in the team for the future.

‘He’s still got six or seven good years in front of him to carve out, and a pretty impressive international career with opportunity and support at that level,’ Vaughan said.

‘I’ve got no doubt he can be successful. ‘This isn’t a question of him trying to find his way in first-class cricket, he is genuinely dominating it.

‘So we’re not hoping or uncertain. He is absolutely the dominant player at our level and absolutely deserving of an opportunity.’