A heartbreaking news has come out from Australia. A 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin died after being hit on the head by a ball during practice in Melbourne. This accident has shocked the entire cricket world.
How did he die?
On Tuesday afternoon, Ben was practicing in the nets at the Valley Tew Reserve Ground in Ferntree Street, Melbourne. According to reports, he was practicing batting in front of the bowling machine wearing a helmet with full protection, when a high speed ball hit him in the middle of his head and neck. Immediately after the accident, he was taken to Monash Medical Center in a critical condition, where despite all the efforts of the doctors, he died on Wednesday.
An atmosphere of mourning among the club and teammates
Ben’s club Ferntree Gully Cricket Club issued an emotional statement on social media, writing, “We are deeply shocked by the death of our rising star Ben Austin. His passing will have an impact on our entire cricket family. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Ben was not only an excellent cricketer, but was also loved by everyone as a leader and team player. He has also been a part of Mulgrave and Eldon Park cricket clubs. Ben also played junior football for the Waverley Park Hawks. Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association President Arnie Walters also shared his sentiments, saying, “Ben was a talented and extremely popular player. Cricketers like him are very rare.”
Reminiscent of Philip Hughes
This incident reminded cricket fans of the painful incident of 2014, when Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was also hit on the neck by the ball during the match. He also died a few days later. It was only after the Hughes incident that many new rules regarding concussion and safety gear were implemented in cricket.
Government expressed grief
Victoria’s Education Minister Ben Carroll said that the government will provide all possible help to Ben’s family in this difficult time. He said, “This is a tragedy not just of one family but of the entire community.”
