A popular young Melbourne cricketer who was critically injured while training at a suburban cricket ground has died.

Ben Austin, 17, suffered catastrophic injuries when he was struck in the neck while facing balls in the cricket nets at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement, the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said Ben, a student at Rowville Secondary College, died on Wednesday.

“The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club wishes to advise of the tragic passing of our player, Ben Austin on 29/10/25,” the club said in a social media post on Thursday morning.

“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 ext

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