An Australian teenager, ben austinHe has tragically died after being hit by a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne. The 17-year-old was training at the nets on Tuesday, October 29, when the fatal accident occurred, which immediately drew heartbreaking parallels with the death of the Test cricketer. philip hughes in 2014. Despite being rushed to hospital in a critical condition and being kept on life support, the talented young player died on Thursday morning. The incident, where Benn was hit on the neck by a ball thrown from a hand-held device, has devastated his family, friends and the wider Australian cricket community.
Australian cricket is mourning the devastating loss of Ben, Melbourne’s talented and popular 17-year-old cricketer, who died after a horrific accident in the nets. The tragedy occurred at 17:00 local time on Tuesday, 29 October, in Ferntree Gully, south-east of Melbourne. Benn was training, reportedly warming up in the nets before a match, when a ball hit him above the neck, seriously injuring him. The delivery was made by a teammate using a hand-held device known locally as ‘wanger’ (A type of ball thrower used to simulate fast bowling).
At the time, Benn was wearing a helmet but was not using a neck guard, a protective device often known as a stemguard. Emergency crews provided advanced life support before Ben was taken in a critical condition to Monash Medical Centre, where he was later placed on life support. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning.
CEO of Cricket Victoria nick cummins accident confirmed “A group of boys were having a practice session and one boy got hit by a ball that was thrown from the sidearm and hit him in the neck, a similar accident to Phil Hughes,” Exposing the rare and sensitive area of the body that was attacked. The accident has had a deep impact on his bowling teammates, with his family also supporting him.
Life is so fickle and so unfair. This is very sad. Really hope the universe takes care of the Austin family. https://t.co/brNPZfDAPB
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) 30 October 2025
Community Tribute to Ben Austin and Phil Hughes
Ben’s death has shocked the local and national cricket community, with an outpouring of condolences and tributes led by his heartbroken family. Ben’s father, jay austinissued a statement saying the family was “Completely devastated” From the death of their “beautiful Ben”, who was a loving son and much-loved brother to Cooper and Zach. She felt some relief after learning that Ben had died. “Doing something he did for many summers, going to the nets with his mates to play cricket,” Shows Ben’s deep love for the game.
“We are completely heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Ben, who died Thursday morning. To Tracy and me, Ben was a loving son, a much-loved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends. This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we take some comfort that he was doing something he did for many summers, which was going to the nets with friends to play cricket. He loved cricket and It was one of the joys of his life.” Ben’s father Jace Austin said in a statement via Cricket Victoria.
We are heartbroken by the passing of young Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, his teammates at Ferntree Gully, Mulgrave and Eldon Park Cricket Clubs and the entire cricket community. Rest easy, Ben ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LW0ietN3aJ
– Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) 30 October 2025
Cricket Victoria CEO Cummins further told Ben A “talented player, popular teammate and captain who was renowned in Under 18 circles,” he described the end of his short life as “heartbreaking.” Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club (for whom Ben played over 100 games) both paid tribute to the kind, respectful and brilliant young man. Mirroring the tribute paid to Hughes in 2014, friends and supporters have been asked to “Put your bats out for Benny” As a mark of respect, tributes such as flowers, shirts and bats have been placed on the fence of the Ferntree Gully Club. The tragedy has reignited discussion about mandatory neck guards in community cricket, a safety measure introduced only for elite Australian players in late 2023 following Hughes’ death in 2014.
See also: Excellent performance by Ruturaj Gaikwad in giving Ranji Trophy award to Prithvi Shaw
Here’s how fans reacted:
Horrific news of a young 17 year old boy who was hit by a cricket ball in the nets in Melbourne yesterday and tragically died.
Condolences to all his family and friends!
cricket family ❤️– Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) 30 October 2025
Terrible, sad news.
Ben Austin, 17, died after being hit in the neck by a cricket ball during a practice net in Melbourne earlier this week.
Thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community during such a difficult time.
– Cricblog ✍ (@cric_blog) 29 October 2025
A dark day for the community, especially anyone who plays cricket.
It’s easy to forget that this is a very dangerous sport.
Terrible feeling today. RIP Ben Austin.
– Matthew Stone (@stone1_matthew) 29 October 2025
The family of Ben Austin have asked the public to “put their bats out for Benny” in tribute to the late teenager who was killed during cricket training. We’ll have his full message tonight at 6pm @7NewsMelbourne #7news pic.twitter.com/I6Ek0TGLwY
– Jacqueline Stanley (@jacstanley7) 30 October 2025
Vale Ben Austin.
Cricket Australia is shocked by the death of 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin following an accident while batting in the nets on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/zBifuqrrRG
– Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) 30 October 2025
The thoughts of the entire cricket community are with the loved ones of 17-year-old Ben Austin, who has passed away after a tragic accident during cricket training: https://t.co/r0ZDYvbqRK pic.twitter.com/sAx74AoQuv
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 30 October 2025
Cricket Victoria is deeply saddened and shocked by the death of 17-year-old Ben Austin of Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.
Our sincere love and thoughts go out to the Austin family, Ben’s teammates, Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and the Victorian cricket community.
Well Ben. pic.twitter.com/uj9dECiTrB
– Cricket Victoria (@cricketvictoria) 30 October 2025
Flowers, bats, shirts and coming together for young Ben Austin at Ferntree Gully CC. It’s good to hear people talk about their passion for cricket. The game had taken hold of him. pic.twitter.com/RFi77F0OY2
– Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) 30 October 2025
Beyond heartbreaking.
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club has confirmed the sad news that 17 year old Ben Austin has died. pic.twitter.com/75MkM68dCO– Madelaine Burke (@Madelaine_Burke) 29 October 2025
A wonderful message from Tooradin CC to acknowledge the passing of busy little cricketer Ben Austin. We could see Cricket Victoria paying tribute statewide. Bless Ben. pic.twitter.com/DpdavRjz36
– Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) 29 October 2025
Also read: Complete list of England cricketers to receive knighthood ft James Anderson
