A 17-year-old cricketer died after being hit by a ball during practice in Melbourne.

A 17-year-old cricketer, Ben Austin, died after being struck by a ball during a practice session in Melbourne’s outer east. The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club honored him with two moments of silence and spray-painted his initials and cap number, 512, on the local oval. His father, Jace Austin, returned to the site wearing Ben’s cap and carrying his bat, expressing deep sorrow. Club leaders called the tribute an “incredibly healing moment” and pledged to continue playing in Ben’s memory, celebrating his passion for the sport.