Australian cricketer Ben Austin, 17, dies after being struck by ball
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cricket The community is mourning the loss of one of its own after a 17-year-old Australian died after being struck in the neck by a ball during training, the country’s national governing body for the sport said on Thursday.
Ben Austin was training at Ferntree Gully in east Melbourne on Tuesday when a ball hit him in the neck. He was hospitalized in critical condition and placed on “advanced life support.” Cricket Australia in question.
The Australian cricket team observes a minute’s silence for Ben Austin during the second match of the T20 International series between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia on October 31, 2025. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
He died from his injuries on Wednesday.
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Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement: “We are absolutely devastated by Ben’s passing and the effects of his death will be felt by everyone in our cricket community.” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone who knew Ben and the joy he brought.”
Austin’s father also released a statement on Thursday.
“We are completely devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning,” Jace Austin said in a statement. “To Tracey and me, Ben was a beloved son, a beloved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.
People look at memorials left at cricket nets in memory of Ben Austin, a promising 17-year-old Australian cricketer who died in Melbourne on October 30, 2025, after being hit by a ball two days ago (William West/AFP via Getty Images)
WE ARE FEARING THE DEATH OF SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE CRAWL OUTSIDE A CRICKET STADIUM IN INDIA
“This tragedy has taken Ben away from us, but we take some comfort in the fact that he is doing something he has done for many summers – going to the net with his friends. play cricket. “He loved cricket and that was one of the joys of his life.”
According to the family’s statement, this strange accident occurred in front of Austin’s teammates.
“We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets; this accident affected two young men and our thoughts are with him and his family.”
Players observe a minute’s silence for young cricketer Ben Austin, who died on October 30, 2025, after a ball hit his neck before the match. (William Est/AFP via Getty Images)
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Tributes poured in and the young athlete was honored across the country, including a minute’s silence ahead of the T20 International series between Australia and Australia. India on Friday.
Austin died more than 10 years after popular cricketer Philip Hughes died two days after a ball hit him near his ear during a match in Australia in November 2014. He was 25 years old.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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