The global cricket community united in grief on Friday to honour Ben Austin, the 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer who tragically passed away after being struck on the neck during a training session earlier this week.
Ben was practicing at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club when a ball thrown from a sidearm hit him on the neck. Despite being rushed to hospital and placed on life support, he passed away on Thursday morning, leaving an entire sporting nation in mourning.
🕊️ Emotional Tributes from Australia and India
Ahead of the Australia vs India T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), both teams stood in silence alongside match officials and representatives from Ben’s cricket clubs. His image was displayed on the big screen, his cap placed on a plinth, and players wore black armbands in his memory.
At the Women’s World Cup, both Australia and India’s women’s teams also wore black armbands during their semi-final, a touching show of solidarity.
🏏 State Teams Join the Tribute
Across the Sheffield Shield, players paid tribute by laying out their bats and observing moments of silence before resuming play. The Victoria vs Tasmania match at Junction Oval began with a heartfelt minute of silence, symbolising unity across all levels of Australian cricket.
💬 Remembering Ben Austin
Ben’s father, Jace Austin, described his son as “an adored son, deeply loved brother, and a shining light.” He added,
“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he loved — playing cricket with his mates.”
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins echoed those sentiments, praising Ben as a true Aussie sports lover:
“He was how we’d like all of our kids to grow up — kind, respectful, passionate, and living his dream.”
⚡ Safety Questions and the Use of Sidearms
Ben was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, though it did not include a stem guard — a feature made mandatory in professional cricket but still optional at community levels. The accident has reignited discussions around safety standards for grassroots players and the use of sidearms (wangers) in training.
Cummins emphasised that while safety reviews will come in time, the current focus remains on supporting the family and teammates affected by the tragedy.
💐 A Community United
At the Ferntree Gully club grounds, flowers, cricket bats, cards, and messages like “Forever 14 Not Out” filled the memorial area as teammates and locals gathered to pay their respects.
Ben’s teammate Liam Vertigan said:
“He lived and breathed cricket. Always polite, always smiling — we’re all just in shock.”
The Phillip Hughes family also expressed condolences, reflecting on the painful similarity to their own loss in 2014, when Hughes was fatally struck by a bouncer.
As of Friday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign for Ben’s family had surpassed AUD $120,000, showing the immense love and support pouring in from across the world.
❤️ A Nation Remembers
From backyard cricketers to international stars, Ben Austin’s story has touched hearts everywhere. His legacy — a love for cricket, friendship, and determination — will live on across fields where the game is played with passion and heart.
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