A young cricketer critically injured in an incident in Melbourne’s east earlier this week has died in hospital.
The ABC understands the player was facing an automatic bowling machine in the cricket nets and was wearing a helmet when he was struck by a ball.
Ambulance Victoria said it was called to the Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully just before 5pm on Tuesday and took the boy to Monash Medical Centre in a critical condition.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club issued a statement on Thursday morning saying the teenager had died.
The club said it was “devastated” by the death of the teenager and “the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” the club said on social media.
Tributes have been paid to the 17-year-old who was a talented and popular cricketer. (ABC News)
Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association president Arnie Walters said the boy was “both talented and popular in local cricket”.
“I know how heavily this news will land across our community and we will provide any and all support we can to our clubs and cricket family,” he said.
The boy was also involved with Mulgrave Cricket Club and Eildon Park Cricket Club.
A cricket bat with messages of sympathy was left at the cricket nets where the young player was struck. (ABC News)
Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where the teenager played junior football, said he was “a kind, respectful, popular and much loved player at our club”.
“He supported his teammates and was a support to all of the kids that he played with. He had a wide network of great friends who will miss him dearly,” the club said in a statement.
“Our club and community have lost a truly great young person who was developing into a fine young adult and his loss will be felt keenly by our club for many years to come.”
The ABC has chosen not to name the teenager or publish his photo without permission from his family.