After a sensational Test cricket debut, Tasmanian Beau Webster says he hopes to “stay in this team for as long as I can”.
The 31-year-old from Snug in southern Tasmania secured the winning runs for Australia in the Test series against India, gifting the team its first Border-Gavaskar trophy since 2014.
Cricketer Beau Webster says he hopes he’s done enough to secure some future Test appearances, after his recent debut. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
The debutant top-scored in Australia’s first innings with a maiden half-century, and secured his first Test wicket when he dismissed India’s Shubman Gill.
Australia won the SCG Test by six wickets, in a 3—1 series victory.
Speaking a day after the team’s triumph, Webster said he was “absolutely stoked with the week”.
“How many chances do you get to hit the winning runs for your country, let alone in a fifth and deciding test?”
The partnership between Travis Head (34 not out, off 38 balls) and Webster (39 not out, off 34) clinched the win for the Aussies — with Webster relishing the opportunity to seal the victory.
“I certainly wasn’t going to give Heady the chance,” Webster said.
“I thought, there was four to win and one ball left, I’m only getting out here, or it’s going to boundary.”
When leaving Sydney for Hobart, the question of a public holiday for Tasmania was raised — but Webster said a celebration on that scale was unlikely.
“Certainly not, it’ll be business as usual down there in Tassie,” he said.
“I’ll be yesterday’s news I reckon.”
‘A little bit rough’ day after victory
Beau Webster’s baggy green, still feeling a bit damp after celebrations with a few drinks. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
Fresh off the plane at Hobart airport, Webster said hitting the winning runs was “surreal”.
“I was just telling myself, ‘you got to be here at the end. There might not be another opportunity’,” he said.
“It was a dream debut and I will reflect for the next couple of days of how good it was and how much I enjoyed it.”
Webster said the experience sunk in while celebrating with the team at the SCG.
“I’m a little bit rough this morning, as I think a few of the boys are, it was a really good night just sitting in your whites and talking with all the lads, it was really special.
Cricketer Beau Webster said he’d been receiving messages of support from across the world. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
“The baggy (green) is still wet, it’s still full of Carlton Draught and whatever else has been poured all over it. I’ll be keeping it pretty close for the next couple of days.”
A dream decades in the making
Webster’s selection for the Test team saw his family scrambling to book flights, and find a last-minute house-sitter for the family dog.
The Tasmanian all-rounder was selected for the Australia A squad in October to play two matches against India in the lead-up to this summer’s test series, before being selected for the Test squad.
He was then chosen to replace Mitch Marsh, who was short of runs in the first four matches against India, to become Australia’s 469th test cricketer.
Webster said there were no hard feelings.
“He’s (Mitch Marsh) been stoked for me all week. It’s a little bit weird when you’re trying to force your way in the team and someone has to get left out, but he’s a great bloke,” he said.
It was a long-awaited dream for Webster, who made his Tasmanian debut in 2014, but struggled to find his way in first-class cricket.
Cricketer Beau Webster says he plans on spending the next couple of days relaxing with family. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
A change to medium pace bowling instead of off-spin paid dividends, with his stunning rise in form rewarded in March, when he was named the 2023-14 Sheffield Shield player of the season.
“There was probably a time in my life where I thought it might have passed me by,” Webster said.
“But no, to get the call up in the fifth and deciding Test, (I) was a little bit nervous but once I got a catch and got a few runs away, it was business as usual.
“It was a great week. I probably couldn’t have asked for much more.”
Beau Webster hails from the small Tasmanian town of Snug. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Webster ‘hoping I’ve done enough’ for another crack
A two-test tour of Sri Lanka starts later this month, followed by the World Test Championship final in London in June, and a West Indies Test tour.
After an impressive debut, there’s a buzz Webster could be included in future Australian Test squads.
“I hope I can stay in this team for as long as I can. It’s a really infectious group to be around. It’s really enjoyable,” Webster said.
“I’m really hoping I’m on that squad. I do think they’ll take some spinners and maybe some specialist batters there.
“I’m hoping I’ve done enough to get on that plane.”
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