Teen cricketer Ben Austin dies after being hit on head throughout coaching session

A 17-year-old cricketer has died after being hit within the head throughout a coaching session in suburban Melbourne.

Local cricket officers stated Ben Austin was rushed to a hospital in crucial situation after being struck by a ball throughout follow at Ferntree Gully on Tuesday.

He was batting within the nets — that are usually follow pitches enclosed by netting — in opposition to bowlers when the damage occurred in entrance of his teammates.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club on Thursdsay (October 20, 2025) confirmed that Austin had died.

“We are completely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his loss of life will probably be felt by all in our cricket neighborhood,” the membership stated in a press release. “Our ideas and prayers are together with his household . . . his buddies and to all of those that knew Ben and the enjoyment that he introduced.”

Ringwood and District Cricket Association president Michael Finn stated Austin was warming up within the nets when the damage occurred.

“Medical help was supplied by folks on the floor on the time till the paramedics arrived,” he stated.

Cricket Australia launched a press release from Ben’s father, Jace Austin, issued assertion on behalf of the household.

“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, however we discover some consolation that he was doing one thing he did for therefore many summers — taking place to the nets with mates to play cricket,” the household’s assertion stated. “He liked cricket and it was one of many joys of his life.

“We would additionally prefer to assist his teammate who was bowling within the nets — this accident has impacted two younger males and our ideas are with he and his household as properly.”

In November 2014, worldwide cricketer Phillip Hughes died in a Sydney hospital on the age of 25 two days after being hit close to the ear by a ball whereas batting for South Australia in opposition to his former staff, New South Wales, in a first-class match.

Hours after Hughes’ loss of life, Cricket Australia postponed the primary scheduled cricket check in opposition to India in Brisbane. New laws had been subsequently launched for batting helmets in top-tier cricket.