{"id":245757,"date":"2025-11-05T18:15:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/245757\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T18:15:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:15:13","slug":"teenagers-spoil-dads-tribute-to-boy-killed-in-tragic-cricket-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/245757\/","title":{"rendered":"Teenagers spoil dad’s tribute to boy killed in tragic cricket accident"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Cricketer
\n\t\tBen Austin, 17, died in a tragic cricket accident (Picture: Facebook)<\/p>\n

A shocked father has called for more \u2018respect\u2019 after his heartwarming tribute to a boy killed in a tragic cricket accident was spoiled by a group of teenagers.<\/p>\n

The cricket world was rocked by the tragic death of 17-year-old player Ben Austin, who died last week after being hit by a ball during a training session<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ben was practicing in cricket nets in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne when he was hit in the neck by a ball thrown using a handheld ball launcher.<\/p>\n

The teenager was put on life support after being taken to the hospital in a critical condition, but tragically passed away two days later.<\/p>\n

A number of different tributes have been held for Ben, with the England<\/a> and New Zealand teams<\/a> observing a minute\u2019s silence ahead of their one-day international on Saturday.<\/p>\n

A crowd of almost 75,000 remembered Ben ahead of Australia\u2019s T20 international against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.<\/p>\n

Both teams also wore blackarms, a tribute that was used in the semi-finals of the Women\u2019s World Cup<\/a> and Australian domestic matches over the weekend. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"CRICKET-AUS-DEATH\"
\n\t\tTributes for Ben Austin after his tragic death (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Residents across the country have also been keen to pay tribute to Ben, with many placing cricket bats outside their homes as part of a \u2018Bats Out For Ben\u2019 trend.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s club, Ferntree Gully, when paying tribute to the youngster on social media, called on friends and supporters to \u2018put your bats out for Benny\u2019.<\/p>\n

A father in Geelong, Victoria, was among those to join the heartwarming tributes but was left stunned as he discovered the bat missing one morning.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tA teenager makes off with the cricket bat (Picture: Facebook)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe owner was shocked by the footage (Picture: Facebook)<\/p>\n

CCTV footage of his porch captured three boys approaching his house and one grabbing the bat before running away.<\/p>\n

\u2018When you leave your son\u2019s cricket bat out the front to show respect for a young teenager who tragically passed away \u2013 and then it gets stolen,\u2019 the disappointed dad wrote on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\u2018If you know these kids, please have a word with them about respect. Some lessons are more important than possessions.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"CRICKET-AUS-IND\"
\n\t\tA tribute to Ben Austin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

According to the Geelong Advertiser<\/a>, the bat was later found dumped at a nearby nature strip.<\/p>\n

Following Ben\u2019s passing, his father Jace said: \u2018For 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.<\/p>\n

\u2018This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers \u2013 going down to the nets with mates to play cricket.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"CRICKET-AUS-DEATH\"
\n\t\tThe cricket world was rocked by the tragic news (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.\u2019<\/p>\n

Mr Austin also stressed his son\u2019s death was a \u2018freak accident\u2019, adding: \u2018This is a great game, cricket, it wasn\u2019t the game\u2019s fault. Please make sure you keep playing, that\u2019s what Ben would want.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Nick Cummins, the ball hit Ben \u2018in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago\u2019.<\/p>\n

Hughes, an Australia regular, died in 2014 after being struck on the neck by a ball while batting in a match.<\/a><\/p>\n

In a statement, Cummins said: \u2018The entire cricketing community in Victoria \u2013 and nationally \u2013 is mourning this loss, and it will be something that will stay with us for a long time.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is heartbreaking to see a young life cut so short, while Ben was doing something that he loved so much.\u2019<\/p>\n

As well as being a keen cricketer, Ben also played more than 100 games for Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, who described him as \u2018kind\u2019 and \u2018respectful\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018Our club and community have lost a truly great young person who was developing into a fine young adult,\u2019 they added. \u2018His loss will be felt keenly by our club for many years to come.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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