Young cricketer Ben Austin dies after being struck in the head by a ball

A promising young cricketer hit in the head with a ball during a pre-match training session has died in hospital.

Ben Austin, 17, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the incident at Walley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne‘s southeast on Tuesday afternoon.

He was placed on life support but died in hospital on Wednesday, his club confirmed.

‘Ferntree Gully Cricket Club wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin,’ a post read.

‘We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impact of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community.

‘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.’

Ben’s parents thanked Ambulance Victoria, police, the Monash Children’s Hospital and witnesses who rushed to the teen’s aid on Tuesday.  

‘This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket,’ his father Jace said.

Promising cricketer Ben Austin has died in hospital after he was hit in the head by a ball while preparing for a T20 match

Ben was training in the nets for a senior T20 match between Ferntree Gully and Eildon Park at Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday afternoon when tragedy struck

‘He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.

‘We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets – this accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well. 

‘We would like to thank the cricket community for their support since Tuesday evening and to the dozens of people who visited Ben in hospital.

‘Finally, we would also like thank all the first responders at the scene and the staff at Monash Children’s Hospital who worked so hard to help Ben. We will cherish Ben forever.’

Ben has been remembered as a talented cricketer who played at representative level for the local district.

‘All of our thoughts, prayers and love are with Ben’s family at a time of unimaginable grief,’ Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association President Arnie Walters said.

‘Ben – who was both talented and popular in local cricket – is an enormous loss to our local community.

‘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.’

The Rowville Sports Academy student was also a talented footballer at Waverley Park Hawks JFC, where he was named the under-17s best and fairest runner-up and best finals player this season.

‘Ben was a kind, respectful, popular and much-loved player,’ the club’s tribute read.

Ben, 17, was also a talented Aussie Rules player who played more than 100 games for Waverley Park Hawks JFC

‘He supported his team mates and was a support to all of the kids that he played with. 

‘Ben loved the Hawks and played over 100 games for our club, he was a true Hawks man who was universally loved by the players, coaches and parents.

‘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.’ 

It’s understood Ben was facing an automatic bowling machine in the cricket nets before a T20 match against Eildon Park when he was struck in the head and neck. He was wearing a helmet at the time. 

Several players rushed to Ben’s aid as specialist paramedics worked frantically to stabilise the critically injured teen.

Ben’s parents thanked Ambulance Victoria, police, the Monash Children’s Hospital and witnesses who rushed to the teen’s aid on Tuesday

‘Someone ran and grabbed a defib and an ambulance was there within maybe five or six minutes,’ a witness told the Herald Sun. 

‘Everyone was just stunned, not really knowing what was happening and how serious it was, because at first it was like someone had been hit in the head. 

‘When they called for the defibrillator it was like, s**t, this is much more serious. There were players from both teams who knew the boy, so both teams were concerned.’

The match was part of a T20 tournament organised by the Ringwood and District Cricket Association and was later abandoned.

‘We’re committed to providing whatever support we need to for the clubs and the officials that were involved,’ association president Michael Finn said.