A 17-year-old cricketer has died after being struck in the neck by a ball during a warm-up session in Melbourne's east. Ben Austin was practicing batting at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday afternoon when the incident occurred.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 4:45 pm. Paramedics treated Austin at the ground before transporting him to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton in critical condition. He died on Thursday, as confirmed by the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.
The club expressed devastation over the loss, stating in a Facebook post that the impact would be felt across the cricket community. The Ringwood and District Cricket Association reported that Austin was warming up before a T20 match when he collapsed in front of teammates.
Reports indicate Austin was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. He had previously played for Ferntree Gully, Mulgrave, and Eildon Park cricket clubs, as well as representative cricket for the Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association.
The tragedy recalls the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014, who also died after being struck in the neck during a match. The cricket community has been offering condolences and support to Austin's family and friends.
