A 17-year-old cricketer has died in a training accident in suburban Melbourne.

Local cricket officials said on Thursday that Ben Austin was rushed to a hospital in critical condition after being struck on the neck by a ball during practice at Ferntree Gully on Tuesday.

He was batting in the nets, which are typically practice pitches enclosed by netting, when the injury occurred in front of his teammates.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed Austin had died on Wednesday.

“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community,” the club said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, … his friends and to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought.”

Ringwood and District Cricket As

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