Both India and Australia are wearing black armbands in today’s Women’s World Cup semi-final to honour Ben Austin, a 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer who tragically passed away after a training accident earlier this week.
Austin suffered a fatal neck injury during a net session at Wally Tew Reserve in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Despite being rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital, he could not be saved. He was wearing a helmet, but not a stem guard — echoing the heartbreaking circumstances that led to Australian batter Phil Hughes’ death in 2014.
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins confirmed the nature of the accident, saying Austin was struck on the neck by a ball delivered from a sidearm throwdown device. His parents, Jace and Tracey, shared an emotional tribute, saying they found solace in knowing he was doing what he loved — batting in the nets with mates.
Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world, with flowers laid at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, where Austin played since childhood. “The cricket community is heartbroken once again,” Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said in a statement.
Today’s gesture from both teams reflects a moment of solidarity and mourning across the sport as players, officials, and fans remember the promising young cricketer.
