The Australian and Indian teams came together to pay homage to 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin. The young player tragically passed away on 30 October after being struck on the neck by a ball during a practice session at Ferntree Cricket Club.
Ahead of the T20I at the MCG, both teams observed a moment of silence. Austin’s photo was displayed on the big screen, and his cap was placed on a plinth on the outfield. The match officials and players also wore black armbands in his memory.
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins described the loss, saying: “Ben was the classic Aussie boy or girl who loved footy in the winter and cricket in the summer. He is how we would like all of our children to turn out, and he was living the dream.”
Last night in Navi Mumbai, during the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final between Australia and India, players were seen wearing black armbands in memory of Austin. Victoria and Tasmania players also observed a minute’s silence and laid out bats before the Sheffield Shield match at Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Austin’s friends and teammates remembered him as an energetic and polite figure. Liam Vertigan, a close friend, told AAP: “He lived and breathed his cricket. He was just well loved by us all — very, very polite, always with a smile on his face.”
Following the tragedy, his friends have created a memorial at Ferntree Cricket Club with flowers, cricket bats and messages of love.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion about safety in junior cricket, including the use of sidearms and protective gear. At the time of the accident, Austin was wearing a helmet without a stem guard, which is recommended at community level.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over AUD 120,000 to support Austin’s family.
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