By: The Trek News Desk
A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken Australia’s cricketing community after a 17-year-old cricketer, Ben Austin, died following an accident during practice in Melbourne.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening at Ferntree Gully, where Ben was training with his teammates in the practice nets. Although he was wearing a helmet, he reportedly did not have a neck guard at the time. The ball, delivered using a handheld ball launcher, struck him directly on the neck with severe impact.
Timeline of the Incident
Emergency services arrived at the scene around 5:00 PM local time (06:00 GMT), after which Ben was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was placed on life support but, tragically, passed away on Thursday.
Ben’s father, Jace Austin, released a statement expressing the family’s profound grief: “Our family is utterly shattered by the loss of our beautiful Ben. Tracey and I were so proud of him, and his brothers Cooper and Zach adored him. He was the light of our lives.”
He added that, though the tragedy is unbearable, the family finds a small measure of comfort knowing Ben was doing what he loved most, playing cricket with his friends in the nets.
Cricket Community in Mourning
Cricket Victoria expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Chief Executive Officer Nick Cummins described the moment as “an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved,” noting its painful similarity to the death of Phillip Hughes a decade ago.
In 2014, Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being struck in the neck by a ball during a Sheffield Shield match, an event that led to major reforms in player safety equipment.
Cummins said Ben was a talented player, a respected captain, and a popular teammate in Melbourne’s southeastern cricket circles.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose such a young life, especially when he was doing something he loved so deeply,” he said.
Tributes Pour In
Ben represented the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, which paid tribute to him on social media, saying, “Ben brought joy to everyone around him. We ask everyone to ‘Put your bats out for Benny’ as a mark of respect and remembrance.”
He also played over 100 games for the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, which remembered him as “kind, respectful, and a fantastic athlete.”
“We’ve lost not just a player, but a truly wonderful young person,” the club said in its statement.
A Difficult Time for Family and Friends
Ben’s father added that the family is standing by the young teammate who was bowling when the accident occurred.
“This tragedy has affected two young men. Our thoughts and support are with him and his family as well,” he said.
He also thanked first responders and medical staff for their quick action and care during the critical hours after the accident.
Source: News Agencies
