Teenage Australian cricketer dies after being struck by ball

AFP/APP

Melbourne: A promising 17-year-old Australian cricketer has died after being struck by a ball, with his family saying they are “utterly devastated.”

Ben Austin was practising in the nets with a helmet on before a Twenty20 game in Melbourne on Tuesday when he was hit in the neck by a ball delivered from a bowling machine. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning.

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“We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben,” his father, Jace Austin, said in a statement. “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort in knowing he was doing what he loved most — going down to the nets with mates to play cricket.

“We would also like to extend our support to his teammate who was bowling in the nets. This accident has impacted two young men, and our thoughts are with him and his family as well.”

Austin was described by his Ferntree Gully Cricket Club as a “star cricketer, great leader, and an awesome young man.”