A 17-year-old cricketer has died after being hit in the neck with a ball during a warm-up session in Melbourne's east. Ben Austin was practising in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday afternoon when the incident occurred.
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 4:45pm. Paramedics treated Austin at the scene before transporting him by road ambulance to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton in a critical condition. He later died.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed the teenager's death on Thursday morning, saying it was "absolutely devastated" by the loss. The club posted on Facebook that the impact would be felt by the entire cricket community and offered thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Ringwood and District Cricket Association president Michael Finn said Austin was warming up before a T20 match when the injury occurred in front of his teammates. Medical assistance was provided by those at the ground until paramedics arrived. Reports indicate Austin was wearing a helmet at the time.
The Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association also expressed deep sorrow, with president Arnie Walters describing Austin as a talented and popular player. The teenager had played for Ferntree Gully, Mulgrave, and Eildon Park cricket clubs, as well as representative cricket for the association.
The incident echoes the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014, who died after being struck in the neck during a Sheffield Shield match. That tragedy led to increased focus on helmet safety and the use of neck protectors.
