Melbourne | The global cricket community is in mourning following the tragic death of 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who succumbed to injuries after being struck by a ball during a training session in Melbourne.
Austin was batting in the nets ahead of a T20 fixture at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club when a delivery hit him in the neck. He was immediately rushed to hospital in critical condition, but despite the best efforts of medical teams, he passed away on Wednesday — a day after the accident.
Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world, with clubs, players, and fans expressing deep sorrow over the untimely loss of a promising young player.
Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) extended heartfelt condolences, while the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) confirmed that players would wear black armbands during their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia to honour Austin’s memory.
“Cricket, like life, can be heartbreakingly unpredictable. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” CSK wrote on X. KKR shared a similar message, saying, “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of young Ben Austin. Our love and prayers are with his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Australian cricket community.”
Fans and locals paid tribute at the Ferntree Gully nets, leaving flowers, cricket bats, and shirts to celebrate the young cricketer’s life.
Former England players Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan also shared their grief. Pietersen posted, “Horrific news… Thoughts with all his family and friends,” while Vaughan wrote, “RIP Ben Austin… Gone far too young.”
Australian and domestic cricket bodies also expressed their condolences. Cricket New South Wales said it “joins the wider cricket community in mourning the loss of Ben Austin,” while Big Bash League clubs Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades described his death as “heartbreaking.”
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, in association with the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Austin’s family during this difficult time.
The loss of Ben Austin has left the cricket world reeling — a poignant reminder of the sport’s risks and the fragility of life.
