Teenage Australian cricketer passes away after being hit by ball
"We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community," the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement.
17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin tragically passed away after being hit by a ball during a practice session in Melbourne, Australia. The promising cricketer was hit in the head and neck area while training in the nets before a T20 game.
The fatal incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Walley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully, located in Melbourne’s southeast. Ben was reportedly facing deliveries from an automatic bowling machine while wearing a helmet. During one such delivery, he was struck by the ball in the neck region, requiring immediate medical attention.
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly before 5 p.m. local time and provided first aid before rushing Ben to Monash Children’s Hospital. He was placed on life support but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed the devastating news.
"Absolutely devastated by the tragic passing of one of its players and the teenager's death will be felt by all in our cricket community," the statement read.
Our club and community have lost a truly great young person: Ben's cricket club
Arnie Walters, president of the Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association, revealed Ben as both talented and popular in local cricket and called his passing an enormous loss. The club also extended its condolences to Ben’s family and thanked Ambulance Victoria, local police, and hospital staff for their efforts. Meanwhile, Ben was not only an emerging cricketer but also a keen Aussie Rules footballer, having represented the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where he played over 100 games.
"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. Our club and community have lost a truly great young person who was developing into a fine young adult, and his loss will be felt keenly by our club for many years to come," the post said.
The incident brought back memories of Phillip Hughes, the Australian Test cricketer who died in 2014 after being hit on the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Hughes’ death led to many changes in cricket’s approach to concussion protocols and protective gear.
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