Teenage Cricketer Dies After Being Struck in the Neck by a Ball During Practice in Melbourne

A 17-year-old aspiring cricketer, Ben Austin, has tragically died after being hit in the neck by a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne’s east.

The incident occurred around 4:45 pm on Tuesday at the nets of Ferntree Gully Cricket Club at Wally Tew Reserve, where he was warming up ahead of a T20 match.

Despite wearing a helmet at the time, he was not equipped with a neck guard when the ball struck him, according to officials.

Emergency responders provided advanced life support at the scene before he was rushed by road ambulance to Monash Medical Centre, where he was placed on life support. He died in hospital later that evening, leaving his local cricket community and beyond in shock.

Ben had played for Ferntree Gully and other local clubs, and had represented the district in junior cricket; he was described as a talented, popular teammate and a fixture of the southeast Melbourne cricket scene. His death has triggered an outpouring of grief across clubs and associations.

Tributes have included placing cricket bats and shirts at the nets in his honour, and members of the wider sporting community, including families affected by similar past tragedies, have expressed solidarity.

The incident has sparked renewed discussion around safety protocols and protective equipment in cricket, especially the use of neck guards or other safeguards in net sessions and non-elite matches.

Cricket authorities and the club have emphasised that their current focus is on providing support to Ben’s family, teammates, and the wider club community, and have asked that the privacy of those affected be respected at this sensitive time.

They have also confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway, and safety guidelines will be reviewed in light of the tragic event.

Ben’s death draws chilling parallels with the passing of Phillip Hughes in 2014, who died after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a first-class match, reminding the sport that even in familiar environments, risk remains and safety requires constant attention.

Sources: The Guardian, ABC News, The Economist, Time