In a shocking and a heartbreaking incident, 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin died after being struck by a ball on the neck during practicing in the nets at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club in Melbourne.
Austin had a helmet on but did not have have a neck guard when he was hit by a delivery from a wanger, a hand-held ball-throwing device. H
He was attended to by emergency workers and was rushed to the hospital. He was also placed on life support but did not survive.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club announced the tragic news through a Facebook post urged fans to place their bats outside in Austin's memory, a gesture reminiscent of the tribute paid to Phil Hughes when he passed away in 2014.
"The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club sadly wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin on 29/10/25.
We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family - Jace, Tracey, Cooper & Zach, his extended family, his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought. We ask you to please respect the privacy of Ben's family during this time. Jace & Tracey would like to thank Ambulance Vic, the Police, the Monash Children's Hospital and those people who assisted on Tuesday. Further details will be shared as they become known, and we will advise of these through our usual process. We ask for your continued support in this time of grieving. May Ben Rest in Peace.
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club," the post read.
Ben's father Jace Austin spoke on the family's loss, "For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers - going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life," as quoted from Wisden.
Cricket Australia said on X, "Vale Ben Austin. Cricket Australia is devastated at the passing of 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin following an accident while batting in the nets on Tuesday night."
As a mark of respect, several players in the ongoing Sheffield Shield round wore black armbands to honour the young cricketer's memory.
Austin had a helmet on but did not have have a neck guard when he was hit by a delivery from a wanger, a hand-held ball-throwing device. H
He was attended to by emergency workers and was rushed to the hospital. He was also placed on life support but did not survive.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club announced the tragic news through a Facebook post urged fans to place their bats outside in Austin's memory, a gesture reminiscent of the tribute paid to Phil Hughes when he passed away in 2014.
"The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club sadly wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin on 29/10/25.
We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family - Jace, Tracey, Cooper & Zach, his extended family, his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought. We ask you to please respect the privacy of Ben's family during this time. Jace & Tracey would like to thank Ambulance Vic, the Police, the Monash Children's Hospital and those people who assisted on Tuesday. Further details will be shared as they become known, and we will advise of these through our usual process. We ask for your continued support in this time of grieving. May Ben Rest in Peace.
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club," the post read.
Ben's father Jace Austin spoke on the family's loss, "For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers - going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life," as quoted from Wisden.
Cricket Australia said on X, "Vale Ben Austin. Cricket Australia is devastated at the passing of 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin following an accident while batting in the nets on Tuesday night."
As a mark of respect, several players in the ongoing Sheffield Shield round wore black armbands to honour the young cricketer's memory.
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