Melbourne Teen Cricketer Dies After Being Struck During Practice
A 17-year-old cricketer from Melbourne, Australia, has died after being struck in the neck by a ball during a training session at Ferntree Gully.
Ben Austin was practicing in the nets when he was hit by a ball launched from a hand-held device known as a “wanger.”
Though he wore a helmet, he was not using a neck guard at the time of the incident.
Emergency teams arrived transported him to hospital in critical condition. Despite being placed on life support, Ben passed away two days later.
His father, Jace Austin, said the family was “utterly devastated” by the loss of their “beautiful Ben.”
He described his son as a bright and kind soul who loved spending time with his friends on the cricket field.
“For Tracey and me, Ben was an adored son and a shining light in the lives of his brothers, Cooper and Zach,” he said, adding that the family found solace in knowing Ben was doing what he loved most.
The Austins also extended their thoughts to Ben’s teammate who delivered the ball, saying the tragedy had deeply affected both young men. The family expressed gratitude to emergency responders, medical staff, and the cricket community for their overwhelming support.
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Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins said the tragedy had shaken players and officials across the state, calling it “an extremely challenging time for everyone involved.”
He drew parallels with the 2014 incident that claimed the life of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who also died after being struck on the neck.
Cummins described Ben as a talented and admired young player in Melbourne’s junior cricket circuit and said his passing would leave a lasting void.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club paid tribute to Ben, calling him a dedicated and joyful teammate.
The club urged supporters to “put your bats out for Benny,” a gesture reminiscent of the tribute made for Hughes.
Ben was also an accomplished footballer, having played more than 100 games for the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club.
The club remembered him as a “kind, respectful and fantastic young person” whose loss would be felt deeply for years to come.
