Melbourne: Players from India and Australia paid a heartfelt tribute to Australian teenager Ben Austin during the second T20 International on Friday, wearing black armbands in his memory. The 17-year-old cricketer tragically passed away earlier this week after being struck by a ball during a training session in Melbourne.
Ben, a promising young player, was hit in the neck while practising in the nets at Ferntree Gully on Tuesday. Despite being rushed to the hospital and placed on life support, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, leaving the Australian cricket community in deep shock.
His father, Jace Austin, described the loss as “utterly devastating,” remembering Ben as “an adored son and a shining light in the lives of family and friends.” In a statement, he said the family found some solace in knowing that Ben was doing what he loved most — playing cricket with his mates.
“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers — going down to the nets to play cricket,” he said, also expressing compassion for Ben’s teammate who was involved in the incident.
Cricket Victoria extended its condolences, noting that the entire cricketing fraternity was mourning the young player’s untimely death.
Before the start of the match, players from both sides observed a moment of silence, honouring Ben’s passion for the game and his memory. The gesture underscored the unity of the global cricket family in times of loss, transcending rivalry and competition.
Fans at the stadium also joined in paying tribute, many seen standing in silence as teams bowed their heads. The emotional gesture served as a reminder of the sport’s deep sense of community — one that comes together not just to celebrate victories, but also to mourn shared losses.
