Overview
- Abbott visited the Melbourne boy who was bowling during the net session to offer support informed by his own experience after Phillip Hughes’ death.
- Ben Austin, 17, was struck in the neck during a Tuesday practice in Ferntree Gully and died in hospital on Thursday.
- Players observed a minute’s silence at Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match at Junction Oval, with another tribute held before Australia’s T20 international at the MCG.
- Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association postponed weekend fixtures as clubs and households left bats out for Ben and memorials grew at the training nets.
- A fundraiser passed $130,000 for lasting tributes, and Austin’s family thanked first responders and hospital staff while honoring Ben’s love of the game.