Details have emerged of a touching act by Australian cricketer Sean Abbott following the tragic accidental death of 17-year-old Ben Austin. Abbott, who was in Melbourne for the T20 international against India, visited the nets in Ferntree Gully where the incident occurred to pay his respects.
Austin was struck by a cricket ball thrown by a side-arm mechanism during a net session on Tuesday and died in hospital on Thursday. The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the cricket world, with flowers, notes, and cricket gear left at the site.
Abbott, who experienced a similar tragedy when a delivery he bowled led to the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014, placed a card at the site before returning to the MCG for the T20. Reports that he met with the boy who threw the ball were incorrect.
The family of Phillip Hughes also reached out to the Austin family. Ferntree Gully coach Josh Henry said the tragedy has gone international, and Ben's legacy will live on forever. Around 40 club matches in Melbourne were cancelled this weekend, with many cricketers expected to gather at Austin's club.
Australia and India women's players wore black armbands in their World Cup semi-final, and Victoria's Sheffield Shield match observed a minute's silence. A tribute is expected before Friday night's T20 at the MCG. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird expressed support for the family and club, noting lessons will be learned from the incident.
