australian teen, Ben AustinTragically died after hitting a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne. The 17-year-old immediately wept, drawing heart-wrenching parallels to the Test cricketer’s death in a fatal accident on Tuesday, October 29. Phillip Hughes In 2014. Although he was rushed to the hospital and put on life support in critical condition, the talented young player passed away on Thursday morning. Ben in the neck Ben was hit in the neck by a bowling ball which left his family, friends and the wider Australian cricket community devastated.
Cricket Australia is mourning the devastating loss of Melbourne’s talented and popular 17-year-old cricketer who died after a horrific accident in the nets. Tragedy, October 29, October 29, around 17.00 local time, in Ferntree, south-east of Melbourne at 17.00. Ben was training, warming up in the nets before a match, warming up in a match when he was hit in the neck with a ball. The delivery was bowled by a teammate using a locally known device “Wanger” (a type of ball thrower used to simulate fast bowling).
Ben was wearing a helmet at the time, but he was using a protective attachment, often known as a brace. Emergency workers rushed Ben to Monash Medical Center where he was later placed on life support. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries Thursday morning.
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins He confirmed the accident “A bunch of guys were having a practice session and one guy got thrown with a sidearm and hit him in the neck, kind of what happened like phil hughes” Highlighting a rare and sensitive area of the body that is adjustable. The accident extended the support of the teammate who threw the ball and the family to him.
Life is so wicked and so bloody unfair. That’s why it’s so tragic. I really hope the universe takes care of the Austin family. https://t.co/brnpzfdapb
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 30, 2025
Community tributes to parallels to Ben Austin and Phil Hughes
Ben’s passing has rocked the local and national cricket community, with grief and tributes led by his devastated family. Ben’s father Jace Austinmade a comment saying that the family “Totally devastated” With the death of one son, Shelly, and one deeply loved son, to Zach and to Zach. Ben took small comfort in knowing he was dead “Doing something he does for so many summers is going down to the nets with his mates to play cricket” It shows Ben’s deep love for sports.
“Tracey and I, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben, a beloved son in the life of my family and our friends and friends, this tragedy, because he took so much summer light, he played Cricket. It was one of the joys of his life.” Ben’s father Jace Austin said in a statement to Cricket Victoria.
We are heartbroken by the passing of young Melbourne Cricketer Ben Austin. Our thoughts are with our loved ones, teammates, teammates at Ferntree Gully, Mulgrave and Eildon Park Cricket Clubs and throughout the cricket community. Rest easy, I ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lw0ietn3aj
– Melbourne Renegades (@renegadesbbl) October 30, 2025
CEO of Cricket Victoria, Cummins later described as ben “A talented player, a popular teammate and a popular captain under the 18 circle,” “Heartbreaking” at the end of his short life. Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club (for whom he played 100 games), both respected, respected and fantastic young men. Tributes paid to Hughes in 2014, friends and supporters were asked in a mirror in a gesture “put your bat down for benny” As a sign of respect, Ferntree Gully Club featured flowers, shirts and bats on the fence. The tragedy reignited the debate surrounding Mandatory Neck Guards, a safety measure introduced only in Elite-2023 Elite-2023 after Hughes’ death in 2014.
See also: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s classy gesture, handing over the Ranji trophy to Prithvi Shaw
Here is the reaction of the fans:
Terrible news of a young 17yr boy in Melbourne yesterday who sadly hit a cricket ball with a picket ball.
Thoughts with all family and friends!
Cricket family ❤️– Kevin pietersen🦏 (@kp24) October 30, 2025
Terrible, tragic news.
Ben Austin, 17, passed away in Melbourne earlier this week after being hit in the neck by a cricket ball in the practice nets.
Thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and community at such a difficult time.
– Cricblog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 29, 2025
A dark day for the community, but especially anyone who plays cricket.
It’s easy to forget, it’s a very dangerous game.
Feeling terrible today. RIP Ben Austin.
– Matthew Stone (@Stone1_Matthew) October 29, 2025
Ben Austin’s family have asked the public to “bring out bats for Benny” as a tribute to the late teenager killed at Cricket Training. We will have the full message at 6pm tonight @7newsmelbourne #7 pic.twitter.com/i6ek0tglwy
— Jacqueline Stanley (@jacstanley7) October 30, 2025
Vale Ben Austin.
Ben Austin, the 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer who crashed in the nets on Tuesday, is devastated by the passing of Ben Austin. pic.twitter.com/Zbifugrrrg
– Cricket Australia (@cricketaus) October 30, 2025
The thoughts of the entire curvy community are with the loved ones of 17-year-old Ben Austin, who passed away following a tragic accident during cricket training: https://t.co/r0zdyvbqrk pic.twitter.com/sax74aoquv
– Cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 30, 2025
Cricket Victoria is deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of 17-year-old Ben Austin from Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.
Our Sincere Love and Thoughts to the Austin family, Ben’s teammates, Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and the Victoria Cricket Community
Hey Ben. pic.twitter.com/uj9decitrb
– Cricket Victoria (@cricketvictoria) October 30, 2025
Flowers, bats, shirts and a get together for young Ben Austin at Ferntree Gully CC. It’s great to hear people talk about their passion for cricket. The game has a hold on him. pic.twitter.com/rfi77f0oy2
— Paul Amy (@paulamy375) October 30, 2025
Beyond heartwarming.
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club have confirmed the tragic news that 17-year-old Ben Austin has died. 💔 pic.twitter.com/75mkm68dco– Madelaine Burke (@madelaine_burke) October 29, 2025
A terrific touch from Tooradin CC to acknowledge the passing of Busy Little Cricketer Ben Austin. We can see Cricket Victoria promoting a state levy. I am. pic.twitter.com/dpdavrjz36
— Paul Amy (@paulamy375) October 29, 2025
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