There was a somber atmosphere at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ahead of the second T20 match between India and Australia as players from both the teams along with match officials and MCG staff wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence in memory of 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin. The young Australian tragically died earlier in the week after suffering a neck injury during a training session at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club in Melbourne. Despite wearing a helmet, Austin was not wearing neck protection, a detail reminiscent of Phillip Hughes’ tragic loss in 2014. The incident has shocked the cricket community, with tributes pouring in from across the world, honoring the teenager’s short but promising career.
AUS vs IND, 2nd T20I: A unified tribute to Ben Austin from across Australia and beyond
The MCG tribute demonstrated similar respect in other cricket formats. The Indian and Australian women’s teams paid tribute to Austin by wearing black armbands during the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. On Friday, in Sheffield Shield matches, players from Victoria and Tasmania paid their respects to the teenager by observing a moment of silence before continuing their match at St Kilda Junction Oval. Tributes echoed in Perth as players from Western Australia and South Australia also observed a minute’s silence. Flowers and cricket bats were laid outside Ferntree Gully Cricket Club as a memorial to Austin, turning the venue into a poignant tribute. The tragedy has led to renewed calls for increased safety measures on the field, particularly in relation to the use of neck protection, as cricketers are reminded of the risks they face, regardless of their age or level.
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AUS vs IND, 2nd T20I: emotional tributeCrowd at MCG goes quiet for Austin
The MCG crowd fell silent on Friday night as they joined in to pay an emotional tribute to Ben Austin just before the AUS vs IND T20I. The 17-year-old player, who tragically died during training on Tuesday, was honored with a moment of silence before the match. Austin’s image appeared on the big screen, and his baggy blue cap was placed on the field, making the tribute even more personal. After a silence, his favorite song was played, with representatives of his clubs, Eldon Park and Ferntree Gully, accompanying the players on the field. Austin was to bat for Eldon Park at the same time as tributes were being paid to him at the MCG, a poignant reminder of what was lost. The tribute not only honored the memory of the teenager but also underlined the deep connection within the cricket community, which united to mourn the loss of a bright young talent.