Ben Austin, a 17-year-old cricketer from Melbourne, died tragically after being hit in the neck by a cricket ball during a training session last Tuesday. While practicing in Ferntree Gully, Austin was struck by the ball launched by a handheld device, known to increase ball speed and reduce strain on bowlers.
Emergency medical teams responded quickly to the incident at around 5 PM local time, and Ben was promptly transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. He remained on life support until his death two days later.
Family and friends are mourning the loss of “our beautiful Ben”, according to his father Jace Austin, who described his son as a beloved brother and a shining light in the family's life. The family expressed their devastation while also highlighting Ben's passion for cricket, stating it was a cherished activity he had enjoyed throughout his youth.
The cricketing community in Victoria and across Australia is in mourning, with leaders, including Nick Cummins of Cricket Victoria, reflecting on the tragedy. Cummins noted the eerie similarity between Ben's accident and the fatal incident involving cricketer Phil Hughes in 2014, which prompted significant changes in safety regulations.
Cricket Victoria has called the incident an extremely challenging time for everyone involved and emphasized the collective mourning for a talented young player who was well-known among peers. Tributes have poured in from his clubs and teammates, praising his character and contributions to the sport, while also urging the community to show support for both Ben's family and his fellow players affected by the incident.
Ben played for the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, which has encouraged fans to 'put their bats out for Benny' in a gesture of remembrance reminiscent of the response following Hughes's passing. His contributions were also noted by the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where he played football, describing him as kind, respectful, and a fantastic player.
