A teenage cricketer has died after being struck by a cricket ball during a practice session.
Ben Austin, 17, had been in the nets during a session in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne on Tuesday when he was hit in the neck by a ball.
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Teenage cricketer Ben died after being struck in the neck by a ball during a practice sessionCredit: instagram @cricketaustralia
The ball had been thrown using a handheld ball launcher.
Ben had been wearing a helmet but no neck guard whilst training in the nets.
After emergency workers attended the scene, Ben was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He was put on life support after arriving in hospital but sadly passed away on Thursday.
In a statement, his dad Jace Austin said: “For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.
“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.
“He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.”
He added that the family were also supporting Ben’s team-mate who had been bowling to him in the nets.
The statement continued: “This accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well.”
Tributes paid to teenage cricketer
Meanwhile, Cricket Victoria have also sent their condolences to the family as tributes flooded in from the world of cricket.
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Kevin Pietersen is amongst the cricketing figures to pay tribute to BenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chief executive officer Nick Cummins said: “The entire cricketing community in Victoria – and nationally – is mourning this loss and it will be something that will stay with us for a long time.”
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen also paid tribute to Ben on social media.
He wrote on X: “Horrific news of a young 17-year-old boy who got struck by a cricket ball in the nets yesterday in Melbourne and sadly passed away.
“Thoughts with all his family and friends. Cricket family.”
Ben played for local side Ferntree Gully Cricket Club as well as being a member of the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club.
Both teams paid tribute to him in separate statements as Ferntree Gully urged supporters to ‘put your bats out for Benny’.
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Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died in 2014 after being struck in the neck during a matchCredit: Getty
The tribute is a similar gesture to one made following the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014.
What happened to Phillip Hughes?
Hughes died after being struck on the neck by a ball whilst batting in a match between South Australia and New South Wales at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 25-year-old was placed in an induced coma after the incident but sadly passed away two days later.
He had been wearing a helmet when attempting a hook shot to a bouncer from New South Wales’ Sean Abbott.
However, the ball struck below his left ear in an area which the helmet did not protect.
New designs have since been produced with additional guards and protection attached to the back of helmets.