Cricketers from India and Australia wore black armbands during the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The gesture honored 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically lost his life after being struck by a ball during a training session in Melbourne.
Austin was hit on the neck while practising in the nets at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club. Although he wore a helmet, he reportedly did not have a neck guard when the incident occurred. The blow came from a delivery thrown using a wanger, a hand-held device used for practice.
Emergency workers arrived around 5 pm on Tuesday and rushed him to the hospital. Despite being placed on life support, the young cricketer sadly could not be saved.
BCCI and Ferntree Gully Club Express Condolences
The BCCI confirmed the tribute in a statement on X, saying: “The Australian and Indian teams are wearing black armbands to pay tribute to aspiring cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically passed away after being struck by a ball in the nets.”
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club announced the heartbreaking news through a Facebook post and urged supporters to place their bats outside in Austin’s memory — a touching echo of the gesture once made for Phil Hughes in 2014.
“The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club sadly wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin, on 29/10/25. We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family – Jace, Tracey, Cooper & Zach, his extended family, his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought,” the club wrote.
“We ask you to please respect the privacy of Ben’s family during this time. Jace & Tracey would like to thank Ambulance Vic, the Police, the Monash Children’s Hospital and those people who assisted on Tuesday. Further details will be shared as they become known, and we will advise of these through our usual process. We ask for your continued support in this time of grieving. May Ben Rest in Peace. Ferntree Gully Cricket Club,” it added.
A Somber Start to the Second T20I
Before play began, both teams observed a moment of silence in memory of Ben Austin. The emotional scene reflected the deep sense of loss felt across the cricketing community.
Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to bowl first against Shubman Gill’s Indian side. The five-match series remains even at 0-0, as the opening T20I in Canberra was abandoned due to persistent rain.
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