Cricket clubs pay tribute to Ben Austin in memorial round matches

As part of a the Ben Austin memorial round Ferntree Gully Cricket Club started every match with a moments silence to honour Ben as well as name him the 12th man across all senior teams.

The club paid tribute to Ben after he was fatally struck by a cricket ball while warming up in the two weeks earlier.

Cricket Victoria confirms the teenager was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, but not a neck guard.

He was treated at the scene before being rushed to Monash Medical Centre in a critical condition and placed on life support.

The next day Ben tragically died.

Ben’s death was confirmed on Thursday October 30 by the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.

“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 statement read.

“We ask you to please respect the privacy of Ben’s family during this time.”

Tributes to the teen were postponed last weekend as wet weather washed out the weekend’s play.

“Teams are in for tomorrow’s Ben Austin Memorial one day games – hoping for lovely weather like today!” Ferntree Gully Cricket Club wrote on its social media pages yesterday.

Cricket Victoria cancelled matches across the state two weeks after Ben’s death shook the cricket world.

In a statement made two weeks ago chief executive Nick Cummins said Cricket Victoria were saddened and shocked by the passing of the teen.

It is heartbreaking to see a young life cut so short, while Ben was doing something that he loved so much,” he said.

“Cricket Victoria is actively supporting the Austin family and a number of impacted cricket clubs including Ferntree Gully and will continue to do so in the challenging months ahead.”

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