 "The death of the injured cricketer in Australia, his last breath in the hospital, grief in the sports world")
A promising young cricketer has died after being hit by a ball during practice in Melbourne, shocking the local sporting world. 17-year-old Ben Austin was training at Valley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Street on Tuesday afternoon when the horrific accident happened. Reports suggest that the Australian cricketer, wearing a helmet, was practicing batting in front of a bowling machine in the nets when the ball hit him on the head and neck.
Ben Austin was taken to Monash Medical Center in a critical condition. Despite the best efforts of doctors, he died on Wednesday. Ferntree Glee Cricket Club confirmed the promising cricketer’s death in a statement on Thursday morning.
“We are deeply saddened by Ben’s passing, and his passing will have an impact on everyone in our cricket community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” the club wrote on social media.
Ben was described by his club as a star cricketer, an outstanding leader and a dynamic young man. He also represented Mulgrave and Eldon Park Cricket Clubs and played junior football for Waverley Park Hawks.
Ferntree Street and District Cricket Association president Ernie Walters described Austin as “both talented and popular”.
Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll said he would provide the family with all the support they could to cope with the tragedy. Austin’s death has been compared to the 2014 tragedy that claimed the life of Australian Test batsman Philip Hughes, who suffered a neck injury during a Sheffield Shield match. Hughes’ death has brought new issues to the fore in cricket, including head injuries.