Sean Abbott paid a visit to the Ferntree Gully site where Ben Austin was tragically killed this week.<\/p>\n
The Australian paceman was in Melbourne for Friday night\u2019s Twenty20 international against India at the MCG, and headed to the outer Eastern suburb earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Abbott was the bowler involved in the accidental death of Phillip Hughes during a Sheffield Shield match 11 years ago.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe details are still fairly scant, because we\u2019re dealing with people who\u2019ve 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,\u201d Cricket Victoria chief Nick Cummins said earlier in the week.<\/p>\n
The Hughes family also issued a statement following this week\u2019s events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d the family said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe send our warmest sympathies as you navigate through this time, as we know all too well\u2026and hope your cherished memories of Ben comfort you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abbott was not selected in Australia\u2019s final XI for the match on Friday night. He is a chance to make his Test debut in the upcoming Ashes series.<\/p>\n
PACKED MCG FALLS SILENT TO REMEMBER BEN AUSTIN <\/p>\n
\u2014 Tyler Lewis <\/p>\n
The MCG fell silent as the sellout crowd paid an emotional tribute to fallen teenager Ben Austin on Friday night.<\/a><\/p>\n Ben, who tragically died while at cricket training on Tuesday night, was honoured ahead of Australia\u2019s Twenty20 match against India.<\/p>\n A moment\u2019s silence was observed as Ben\u2019s image was shown on the big screen and his baggy blue cap was displayed on the hallowed turf.<\/a><\/p>\n His favourite song followed the tribute while representatives from Ben\u2019s clubs \u2013 Eildon Park and Ferntree Gully \u2013 were with the players on the field.<\/a><\/p>\n The 17-year-old was meant to be batting for Eildon Park at the time of his tribute at the MCG.<\/p>\n