Sean Abbott paid a visit to the Ferntree Gully site where Ben Austin was tragically killed this week.

The Australian paceman was in Melbourne for Friday night’s Twenty20 international against India at the MCG, and headed to the outer Eastern suburb earlier in the day.

Abbott was the bowler involved in the accidental death of Phillip Hughes during a Sheffield Shield match 11 years ago.

The death of 17-year-old cricketer Austin, felled by a blow to the neck from a side-arm mechanism in the nets, was awfully reminiscent of the Hughes episode.

“The details are still fairly scant, because we’re dealing with people who’ve suffered significant trauma, but our understanding is that a group of boys were having a practice session, and a boy was hit with a ball that was thrown with a side arm and hit him in the neck in a similar sort of accident like Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago,” Cricket Victoria chief Nick Cummins said earlier in the week.

The Hughes family also issued a statement following this week’s events.

“We would like to send our deepest condolences to the Austin family for the loss of their adored son and brother, Ben. Our thoughts are with you, the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and the greater cricket community as we think of Ben and his love of cricket,” the family said.

“We send our warmest sympathies as you navigate through this time, as we know all too well…and hope your cherished memories of Ben comfort you.”

Abbott was not selected in Australia’s final XI for the match on Friday night. He is a chance to make his Test debut in the upcoming Ashes series.

PACKED MCG FALLS SILENT TO REMEMBER BEN AUSTIN

— Tyler Lewis

The MCG fell silent as the sellout crowd paid an emotional tribute to fallen teenager Ben Austin on Friday night.

Ben, who tragically died while at cricket training on Tuesday night, was honoured ahead of Australia’s Twenty20 match against India.

A moment’s silence was observed as Ben’s image was shown on the big screen and his baggy blue cap was displayed on the hallowed turf.

His favourite song followed the tribute while representatives from Ben’s clubs – Eildon Park and Ferntree Gully – were with the players on the field.

The 17-year-old was meant to be batting for Eildon Park at the time of his tribute at the MCG.

Australian and Indian players wore black armbands in honour of Ben, as did the match officials and MCG staff.