The cricket world is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old Ben Austin, a promising young player who died after being struck by a ball during a routine training session in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne.
The impact, delivered by a ball launched from a handheld device, tragically hit Ben in the neck. 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 quickly swept across the nation, a testament to the young man’s vibrant spirit. Minutes of silence were observed at international matches, including a poignant moment before the England versus New Zealand game.
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a crowd of nearly 75,000 honored Ben before Australia’s T20 match against India, both teams displaying black armbands as a mark of respect – a gesture echoed in women’s and domestic games.
A beautiful, grassroots movement emerged as people across the country participated in “Bats Out For Ben,” placing cricket bats outside their homes as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.
However, a father in Geelong, Victoria, experienced a cruel twist to this heartfelt tribute. He’d placed his son’s bat outside as a sign of respect, only to find it stolen the following morning.
Security camera footage revealed three teenagers approaching his property, one brazenly snatching the bat and fleeing. The devastated father shared his disappointment online, pleading for a lesson in respect for the young men.
Thankfully, the bat was later recovered, discarded on a nearby nature strip. But the incident served as a stark contrast to the outpouring of genuine grief and remembrance.
Ben’s father, Jace Austin, spoke with raw emotion, describing his son as “an adored son, deeply loved brother,” and a “shining light” in their family’s life. He found solace knowing Ben was doing what he loved.
“He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life,” Mr. Austin shared, emphasizing that his son’s death was a devastating, yet incredibly rare, accident. He urged others to continue playing, believing that’s what Ben would have wanted.
The tragedy echoes the heartbreaking loss of Phil Hughes, another promising cricketer who died after being struck in the neck by a ball in 2014. Cricket Victoria’s CEO, Nick Cummins, acknowledged the painful similarity.
Cummins expressed the deep mourning felt throughout the Victorian and national cricketing communities, stating that Ben’s loss would be felt for years to come. It was a heartbreaking end to a young life filled with passion.
Beyond cricket, Ben was also a dedicated footballer, having played over 100 games for the 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 club described him as a “truly great young person” who was blossoming into a fine young adult, acknowledging the profound impact his absence will have for years to come.
