Ben Austin: A young life in cricket snuffed out in the same way Phil Hughes passed away

In an emotional statement, his father Jayce said: “This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life. We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets.”

The fateful day began like most other days for Ben at his club. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the session began with Ben exhorting his teammates with the usual words: “Here we go, lads!” He, his teammate Liam Vertigan told SMH, was “the loudest player on the field with a heart of gold”, always energetic and cheerful. “You’d always hear him calling ‘here we go, lads’ before a game, even on the livestream. We’ll notice the silence now.”

Ben’s former coach and Victoria legend Darren Berry remembered him as a “beautiful, respectful young man, a talented cricketer on the rise”.

“He was an enthusiastic, very fit young man, who showed outstanding leadership qualities,” he told SMH.

Hughes’s parents too conveyed their sorrow. “We send our warmest sympathies as you navigate through this time, as we know all too well … and hope your cherished memories of Ben comfort you,” the message read.

Ben, who celebrated his 17th birthday at the start of October, had a lot of friends. “Ben was a kind, respectful, popular and much-loved player at our club. He supported his teammates and was a support to all of the kids that he played with,” said Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where Ben was a senior player. “He had a wide network of great friends who will miss him dearly. He was a true Hawks man who was universally loved by the players, coaches and parents.”

Twist of fate

The all-rounder was not listed to feature in the T20 game against Eildon Park that fateful day, but came just to practise with his club-mates.

Then tragedy struck. He had worn a helmet, but not the neck guard. Whether the helmet had a stem guard, which enhances protection, is uncertain. The ball from the side-arm wanger, the hand-held ball- throwing device that could be spotted at any nets, struck flush on the side of his neck, as it had Hughes off a Sean Abbott bouncer. Hughes too had the helmet but not the neck guard. After first aid, Ben was rushed to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton.

Even in their darkest moment, his parents empathised with the boy who flung the ball at him. “This accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with him and his family as well,” their statement read.

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll pledged that his department would offer assistance to Ben’s schoolmates and fellow cricketers. “The Department of Education is on hand now supporting all fellow students of Ben. We will wrap our arms around them and give them every support that they need,” he said.

An avid footie player too, Ben had turned up for nearly a hundred games for Waverley Park Hawks junior football club. He played an influential role as the club finished second in the league last season. “He was definitely going places,” said Vertigan. “He’d always tell me what he was up to, in footy as well as [cricket]. ”

When the shock of his death abates, the debate on making neck guards mandatory would resurface. The coroner’s report into Hughes’ death endorsed the mandatory use of neck guards for players representing Australia. Whether that should be extended to all levels would be discussed. Besides, there were no explicit requirements for safety equipment when facing sidearms.

“It’s often a response to a tragedy that people feel like they need to do something straight away,” said Nick Cummins, Cricket Victoria chief executive. “There will be a time to do something. Just need to make sure that we focus on the people who are directly impacted in the immediate time.” He added that a full investigation into the incident would take place.

The nets at the FernTree Gully, though, would remain silent for weeks and months.

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