Image: Facebook
Emergency Response at Wally Tew Reserve
A 17-year-old cricketer from Melbourne’s outer east has died following a tragic training accident earlier this week.
Ben Austin was batting in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on October 28 when he was struck in the head and neck area by a cricket ball. Emergency services were called to the scene about 4.45pm, and Ben was rushed to Monash Medical Centre in a critical condition, where he was placed on life support.
Shock Among Team mates and Community
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed on October 30 that Ben had died overnight.
“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community,” the club posted on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family — Jace, Tracey, Cooper and Zach — his extended family, his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought.”
The club also thanked emergency responders, Monash Children’s Hospital staff, and those who assisted at the scene.
In the days following the incident, flowers have been laid at the cricket nets as mourners paid their respects.
A Sobering Reminder for the Cricketing Community
This incident evokes memories of the tragic loss of Phil Hughes, who suffered a fatal on-field injury in 2014 which deeply affected the cricketing world. Moments like these remind us of the fine line between passion and peril in sport. While such events are rare, they underscore the importance of safety, awareness, and compassion for those who step onto the field.
