A 17-year-old cricketer has died after a coaching accident in suburban Melbourne.
Native cricket officers mentioned Ben Austin was rushed to a hospital in vital situation after being struck on the neck by a ball throughout follow at Ferntree Gully on Tuesday.
He was batting within the nets – that are sometimes follow pitches enclosed by netting – when the harm occurred in entrance of his team-mates.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Membership on Thursday confirmed that Austin had died.
“We’re completely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his demise shall be felt by all in our cricket neighborhood,” the membership mentioned in a press release.
“Our ideas and prayers are together with his household…his pals and to all of those that knew Ben and the enjoyment that he introduced.”
Mourners pay tribute at cricket nets after the demise of Australian cricketer Ben Austin
Tributes are left at cricket nets
Ringwood and District Cricket Affiliation president Michael Finn mentioned Austin was warming up within the nets when the harm occurred.
“Medical help was supplied by folks on the floor on the time till the paramedics arrived,” he mentioned.
Cricket Australia launched a press release from Ben’s father, Jace Austin, on behalf of the household.
“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, however we discover some consolation that he was doing one thing he did for therefore many summers – happening to the nets with mates to play cricket,” the household’s assertion mentioned. “He beloved cricket and it was one of many joys of his life.
“We’d additionally wish to assist his team-mate who was bowling within the nets – this accident has impacted two younger males and our ideas are with he and his household as effectively.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. quoted Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins saying that Austin had been sporting a helmet and “the ball hit him within the neck in the same accident that Phil Hughes suffered 10 years in the past.”
In November 2014, worldwide cricketer Phillip Hughes died in a Sydney hospital two days after being hit close to the ear by a ball whereas batting for South Australia in opposition to his former group, New South Wales, in a first-class match. He was 25.
New rules have been subsequently launched for batting helmets in top-tier cricket.
