Australian cricket is grieving a heartbreaking tragedy once again, a decade after the death of Phil Hughes shook the sport. Ben Austin, a 17-year-old aspiring cricketer from Melbourne, has died after being struck on the neck during a practice session, drawing painful parallels to Hughes’ fatal injury in 2014.
The incident occurred at Melbourne’s Wally Tew Reserve, where Austin was training with teammates earlier this week. According to reports, he was hit by a ball fired from a sidearm thrower (commonly known as a wanger) and collapsed immediately. Despite being rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital, medical teams could not save him.
Austin was wearing a helmet at the time, but not a stem guard – the protective flap designed to shield the neck area, introduced in the aftermath of Hughes’ passing. “The ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered ten years ago,” Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins confirmed.
In a deeply emotional statement, Austin’s parents, Jace and Tracey, said the loss was unimaginable but took comfort in knowing he was doing what he loved. “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.” They also expressed sympathy for the teammate involved, acknowledging the emotional toll on both families.
The cricket community has rallied around Austin’s family. Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, where Austin played since childhood, called the loss “an enormous blow to our local community,” with flowers and tributes placed at the practice nets.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said the sport was “heartbroken once again,” adding: “Clearly there are things we have to learn from this, but right now, we’re thinking about Ben’s family and trying to support them.”
Hughes’ death in 2014 led to significant changes in cricket safety equipment, particularly the introduction of the stem guard. However, adoption at the professional level has been mixed, with some players citing discomfort and restricted movement.
As the cricket world reflects on another devastating loss, conversations around player safety, equipment standards and protective adoption are expected to intensify. But for now, the focus remains on honouring a life gone far too soon and supporting a community in mourning.
