Melbourne: In a tragic incident, a 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin has died after being struck by a ball during practice at the Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully.

The teenager was training in the nets on Tuesday afternoon, facing deliveries from an automatic bowling machine, while wearing a helmet, he was hit in the head and neck area, according to local reports. Paramedics rushed him to Monash Medical Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, after remaining in critical condition.

According to a report published by the Times of India, Ben’s father, Jace Austin, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement. Jace said, “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning. This tragedy has taken Ben from us. B

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