A 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin, has died after being struck on the neck by a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, officials confirmed on Thursday. Austin was training in the cricket nets at Ferntree Gully on Tuesday when he was hit on the neck by a ball delivered from a throwing machine. Despite wearing a helmet, he was not using a stem guard a piece of protective gear that covers the area where the neck meets the helmet. Emergency services were called to the scene around 5:00 pm local time. Austin was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital in critical condition and placed on life support, but he succumbed to his injuries two days later. Cricket Victoria confirmed that Austin was struck during a routine training session. “Ben was wearing a helmet but did not have a stem guard,” said a spokesperson, noting the incident’s tragic similarity to the 2014 death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died after a ball struck his neck during a Sheffield Shield match. The organization extended condolences to Austin’s family, teammates, and the wider cricket community. The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said it was “absolutely devastated” by the loss of “one of its most promising young players.” “Ben’s passing will be felt deeply across our cricket community,” said club president Arnie Walters.
Teenage cricketer dies after being struck by ball in Australia
Published on: October 31, 2025 12:27 AM