Overview
- Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed Ben Austin died after being struck in the neck while batting in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday.
- Paramedics provided advanced life support at the ground before transporting him in critical condition to Monash Medical Centre, where he later died.
- Austin was wearing a helmet; multiple outlets report he was not using a stem/neck guard, a detail officials say will be reviewed.
- Accounts differ on how the ball was delivered, with reports variously citing an automatic bowling machine or a handheld sidearm device.
- His family said they are devastated and expressed support for the teammate involved, as Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and local associations offered assistance and tributes referenced parallels to Phillip Hughes’ 2014 death.