A 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin, has tragically died after being struck in the neck by a ball during a pre-match warm-up in Melbourne. The incident occurred on Tuesday, in front of his teammates, and Ben was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later passed away on Thursday morning.
In a statement, his father, Jace Austin, said, “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben. He was an adored son, a deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.”
Ben’s teammates remembered him as “kind, respectful, popular, and much-loved,” highlighting his passion for the sport. Jace added, “The tragedy has taken my son from us, but we find some comfort knowing he was doing something he loved for so many summers—going down to the nets with mates to play cricket.”
He also acknowledged the other teen involved in the accident, expressing thoughts for him and his family. Jace extended gratitude to first responders and the staff at Monash Children’s Hospital for their efforts in trying to save Ben.
The Ferntree Gully cricket club, where the incident occurred, is asking members to honor Ben by leaving “bats out for Ben,” Cricket Australia reported.
Ben Austin’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the local cricket community, leaving teammates, friends, and family mourning the loss of a promising young player.
