Teenage cricketer tragically dies after being struck by ball during training session

Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin, has tragically died after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a training session in Melbourne.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 28, at the Ferntree Gully cricket nets, where Ben was practising with friends. He was wearing a helmet but no neck guard when the ball, delivered using a hand-held training device known as a “wanger”, hit him on the neck.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 5:00 p.m. local time and rushed Ben to the hospital in critical condition. Despite being placed on life support, he died two days later, on Thursday, October 30.

Ben’s father, Jace Austin, described the family as “utterly devastated” by the loss of “our beautiful Ben,” remembering him as a beloved son and brother.

“For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends,” he said in a statement. “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he loved so much going down to the nets with mates to play cricket.”

Mr Austin also expressed sympathy for Ben’s teammate, who was bowling when the accident occurred. “This accident has impacted two young men, and our thoughts are with him and his family as well,” he said, while thanking emergency workers and hospital staff for their efforts.

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins said the entire cricketing community was mourning the loss. “It’s an extremely challenging time for everyone involved. The ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident to what happened to Phil Hughes 10 years ago,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

In 2014, Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being struck on the neck during a Sheffield Shield match, prompting improvements in player safety gear.

Cummins described Ben as a talented player and popular teammate, saying, “It is heartbreaking to see a young life cut so short while Ben was doing something that he loved so much.”

Ben was a member of the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, which paid tribute to him on social media as someone who “brought joy to many.” The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where Ben had played over 100 games, also mourned his passing.

“Our club and community have lost a truly great young person who was developing into a fine young adult,” the club said. “His loss will be felt keenly by our club for many years to come.”