Seventeen-year-old Ben Austin died on October 30 after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a training session at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne. The ball was thrown by a teammate using a training device known as a 'cricket thrower', 'side-arm', or 'wanger'. A medical examiner's report attributed his death to an intracranial haemorrhage from a traumatic injury to the left side of his neck.
Ben's parents, Jace and Tracey Austin, have publicly expressed support for the boy who threw the fatal ball. 'It wasn't your fault,' Jace said in an exclusive interview, emphasizing that the incident was a pure accident. 'Cricket wasn't at fault here … it was just a pure accident.'
Jace recalled receiving a call from his brother-in-law while at his youngest son's cricket match and rushing to the nets, where he immediately sensed the tragedy. 'I knew straight away that he wasn't there,' he said. Ben was transported to Monash Children's Hospital and placed on life support, but doctors determined he was brain dead. The family spent two days at his bedside before his passing.
Tracey Austin described the time with Ben as 'beautiful' and 'very special', playing his favorite songs and stroking his hair. She continues to visit his room daily, reflecting on his photos and trophies. Ben, born on October 10, 2008, was considered a miracle baby after Tracey was told she might not be able to conceive due to a previous car accident.
Ben played cricket for three teams, Aussie rules football for Waverley Park Hawks, and was a promising boundary umpire. Jace Austin admitted his relationship with cricket has changed, saying he initially never wanted to see the sport again, but now acknowledges it was not at fault.
