Australian cricketer Ben Austin, 17, dies after being struck by ball

cricket The community is mourning the loss of one of its members after a 17-year-old Australian died after being hit in the neck by a ball during training, the sport's national governing body confirmed on Thursday.

Ben Austin was training at Ferntree Gully in Melbourne's east on Tuesday when the ball hit him in the neck. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and placed on “advanced life support.” Cricket Australia said.

He died from his injuries on Wednesday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“We are absolutely devastated by Ben's passing and the impact of his death will be felt by everyone in our cricket community,” Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family… his friends and everyone who knew Ben and the joy he brought.”

Austin's father also released a statement Thursday.

“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier Thursday morning,” Jace Austin said in a statement. “To Tracy and I, Ben was an adored son, a deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a bright light in the lives of our family and friends.

People look at tributes left at cricket nets in memory of promising 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who died in Melbourne on October 30, 2025, after being hit by a ball two days earlier. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

SEVERAL FRIENDS DIE IN THIS PANIC OUTSIDE A CRICKET STADIUM IN INDIA

“This tragedy took Ben from us, but we take some comfort in the fact that he was doing what he had been doing for years – going to the nets with his mates. play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.”

The horrific crash happened in front of Austin's teammates, the family said.

“We would also like to support his teammate who was playing in the nets – two young men were injured in the accident and our thoughts are with him and his family as well.”

Players observed a minute's silence for young cricketer Ben Austin, who died on October 30, 2025 after being hit in the neck by a ball before a game. (William Est/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Tributes poured in and the young pacer was honored across the country, including a minute's silence ahead of the T20 international series between Australia and India on Friday.

Austin's death comes more than 10 years after popular cricketer Philip Hughes died in Australia in November 2014, two days after he was hit near the ear with a ball while playing. He was 25.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.