Overview
- Ben Austin, 17, was hit in the head and neck while batting in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve before a senior T20 fixture between Ferntree Gully and Eildon Park.
- He was wearing a helmet as teammates and bystanders rushed to help before specialist paramedics arrived within minutes.
- Advanced Life Support and mobile intensive care crews treated him at the ground and transported him to Monash Medical Centre, where he was placed on life support and later died.
- Ferntree Gully Cricket Club announced his death and asked for privacy for his family, as mourners left flowers by the training nets.
- The match was abandoned, and Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the local association are providing support and grief counselling to players and officials.