A minute’s silence will be held to remember young cricketer Ben Austin as the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club holds a memorial round in his honour this weekend.
The 17-year-old was fatally struck by a cricket ball warming up in the nets before a T20 game last week, shaking the cricketing world.
Cricket Victoria cancelled matches across the state last week and will resume this weekend for the Ben Austin Memorial Round.
The sporting association invited clubs and associations to wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence before games.
The Ferntree Gully club has also named Ben as the 12th man for its senior team this weekend.
Members gathered for a minute’s silence to remember Ben before training at Wally Tew Reserve on Thursday, with his initials and player number BA 512 painted on the club grounds one week after the horror accident.
“Tonight our players, committee, volunteers and supporters all gathered around the wonderful ‘BA 512’ painted on our oval by the team from Australian Sportlines Linemarking and Logos,” a club spokesman said.
“Thank you, it looks amazing.
“Our coach Josh Henry had a quick few words before we all walked over to the nets to gather in a circle with a minute’s silence to remember Ben.
“It was really lovely.
“The boys then started training – well done to you all.”
Club president Lee Thompson described Thursday’s tribute as “an incredibly healing moment”.
“We’re a cricket club, ultimately, and we’ve got to get on and play cricket again,” Thompson told Nine News.
“In honour of Ben, I think that’s what we need to do.”
Before all games on Saturday players, officials and spectators will huddle in a circle to observe a minute’s silence and listen to a statement reflecting on Ben’s life.
Cricket Victoria has written to all local clubs around the state to consider the same gesture.
“Clubs and associations who wish to participate are invited to wear black armbands, and observe a minute’s silence before the start of play,” CV said in a statement.
“This is not a directive. Participation is entirely optional. We also recognise that clubs and associations may wish to acknowledge Ben in their own way, and we support all respectful tributes.”
Originally published as Ferntree Gully Cricket Club names 17yo Ben Austin as 12th man during memorial round in his honour