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A freak accident has claimed the life of a young Australian cricketer in Melbourne, sending shockwaves through the community and reviving memories of Phil Hughes’ fatal injury.
17-year-old Ben Austin has been described as a cheerful and loved boy.
(PC: Ferntree Gully Cricket Club)
A young Australian club cricketer, Ben Austin, died in the hospital on Thursday after being struck in the neck with a ball of a ‘Sidearm’ thrower in Melbourne’s east. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity, while also serving as a horrific reminder of Phil Hughes’ death in similar circumstances in 2014.
Head of Cricket Victoria, Nick Cummins, has confirmed the 17-year-old, who was representing the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, was wearing a helmet. According to local media, paramedics were called to the Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday evening and took Austin to Monash Medical Center.
“The ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered ten years ago,” Cummins said, as quoted by ABC.
His condition was described as critical from the onset.
“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 club said in a statement released on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family – Jace, Tracey, Cooper & Zach, his extended family, his friends and 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. Jace & Tracey would like to thank Ambulance Vic, the Police, the Monash Children’s Hospital and those people who assisted on Tuesday. Further details will be shared as they become known, and we will advise of these through our usual process. We ask for your continued support in this time of grieving. May Ben Rest in Peace.”
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said the board would look at the lessons it could learn from the incident, but for now, they’d offer complete support to Austin’s family, his club, and all those impacted by his death.
“There are some days when your heart is broken, and today is one of them,” he said. “Cricket is a sport that brings people together and brings communities together. It’s also one that feels very deeply.”
Cricket clubs across Melbourne mourned the youngster with tributes and bats placed at Walley Tew Reserve under the message “Bats out for Benny.” Clubs described him as kind, talented, and deeply loved.
The tragedy has united the cricket community in grief, with officials and teammates remembering him as a bright, passionate player gone too soon.
October 30, 2025, 07:43 IST
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