The cricket world is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old Ben Austin, a promising young player whose life was tragically cut short during a routine training session.
Ben was struck in the neck by a ball launched from a handheld device while practicing at the nets in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne. Despite immediate medical attention and two days on life support, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community shattered by grief.
A wave of tributes has swept across Australia and beyond, a testament to the impact Ben had on those around him. Moments of silence were observed before international matches, and players donned black armbands in his memory.
A particularly touching tribute, the “Bats Out For Ben” movement, saw residents placing cricket bats outside their homes as a symbol of respect and remembrance. It was a visual outpouring of sorrow and solidarity.
However, one father in Geelong experienced a cruel twist to this heartfelt gesture. After placing his son’s bat outside as a tribute, he awoke to find it stolen, captured on his home security camera.
Footage showed three teenagers approaching his property, one brazenly snatching the bat and fleeing. The father, understandably devastated, shared the incident on social media, pleading for a lesson in respect for a fallen young man.
The stolen bat was later recovered, discarded on a nearby nature strip, but the incident served as a stark reminder of the fragility of respect in the face of tragedy.
Ben’s father, Jace Austin, spoke of his son with profound love, describing him as an “adored son” and a “shining light” in their family’s life. He found solace in knowing Ben was doing what he loved – playing cricket with his friends.
Mr. Austin emphasized that Ben’s death was a “freak accident,” urging others to continue playing the game his son cherished. He wanted Ben’s passion to live on through others.
The tragedy echoes the devastating loss of Phil Hughes, another promising cricketer who died after being struck by a ball in 2014. Cricket Victoria’s CEO acknowledged the haunting similarity of the accidents.
Beyond cricket, Ben was a dedicated footballer, having played over 100 games for Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club. He was remembered as a kind and respectful young man, a loss deeply felt by his teammates and the wider club community.
His former club described him as a young person on the cusp of adulthood, whose absence will be felt for years to come. Ben Austin’s life, though tragically short, left an undeniable mark on all who knew him.
