A tragic accident on Tuesday in suburban Melbourne claimed the life of a promising 17-year-old cricketer from the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club. The boy — identified as Ben Austin — was batting in the nets when he was struck on the neck by a practice delivery. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but the club confirmed on Thursday that he had died.
According to officials from the Ringwood & District Cricket Association, Austin was warming up with teammates in the nets when the delivery hit him. While he was wearing a helmet, it appears the ball found an unprotected area of his neck — an injury described as “similar” by Cricket Victoria’s chief executive to the fatal accident that claimed the life of international player Phillip Hughes in 2014.
The club issued a statement saying: “We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community… Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought.” Austin’s father, Jace Austin, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers — going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life. We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets — this accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with him and his family.”
Medical assistance was provided on site while paramedics arrived, according to association officials. They described the incident as extremely rare but devastating. The fact that the ball struck the neck, an inherently vulnerable area, despite the helmet being worn, has reignited concerns about safety in cricket practices and whether additional protection for the neck region should be standard even in net sessions.
The comparison to Phillip Hughes’ accident nearly a decade ago underscores how even with protective equipment and high awareness, cricket batting remains susceptible to unexpected and fatal injuries. In Hughes’ case, a ball struck near his ear and ultimately led to his death — prompting major safety overhauls in top-tier cricket including helmet design and neck guards.
Ben Austin’s death has sent shockwaves through the local and broader cricket community in Australia and beyond. Players, coaches and clubs are likely to revisit their safety protocols for net practices, particularly focusing on risk assessment, protective gear, supervision and emergency response readiness. The incident serves as a devastating reminder of the thin line between a routine practice and life-threatening injury.
Tributes from teammates, friends and cricket officials are expected to pour in in the coming days. As the Ferntree Gully club and the larger cricket community mourn the loss of a young life full of promise and passion for the game, the focus will also return to how best to protect emerging cricketers during training, so that another family does not have to endure similar heartbreak.
