Australian teenage cricketer dies after ball hits his neck during training session
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He cricket The community is mourning the loss of one of its own after a 17-year-old Australian boy died after being hit in the neck by a ball during practice, the country’s national governing body for sport confirmed Thursday.
Ben Austin was training at Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s east on Tuesday when a ball hit him in the neck. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and placed on “advanced life support.” Cricket Australia saying.
The Australian cricket team observes a moment of silence for Ben Austin during the second game of the T20 International series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Sankanka ratnayake/Getty Images))
He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
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“We are absolutely devastated by Ben’s passing, and everyone in our cricket community will feel the impact of his death,” Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family…his friends and all those who knew Ben and the joy he brought.”
Austin’s father also issued a statement Thursday.
“We are completely devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who passed away Thursday morning,” Jace Austin’s statement read. “To Tracey and me, Ben was a cherished son, a deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a bright light in the lives of our family and friends.
People look at tributes left on cricket nets in memory of promising Australian cricketer Ben Austin, 17, who died in Melbourne on October 30, 2025, after being hit by a ball two days earlier. (William West/News via Getty Images)
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“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but it comforts us to know that he was doing something he did for so many summers: hitting the nets with his friends. play cricket. “He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.”
The freak accident occurred in front of Austin’s teammates, according to the family.
“We also want to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets. This accident has affected two young people and our thoughts are also with him and his family.”
Players hold a moment of silence for young cricketer Ben Austin, who died on October 30, 2025 after being hit in the neck by a ball before a match. (William Est/News via Getty Images)
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Tributes poured in and the young athlete was honored across the country, including a moment of silence before the T20 International series between Australia and India on Friday.
Austin died more than 10 years after popular cricketer Philip Hughes died in Australia in November 2014, two days after being hit near the ear by a ball during a game. He was 25 years old.
The News contributed to this report.
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