Navi Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) The cricket world was shrouded in mourning on Thursday as India and Australia players paid tribute to young cricketer Ben Austin during their Women's World Cup semifinal. The players donned black armbands to honor Austin, a 17-year-old talent who tragically lost his life after being struck by a ball during a training session.
Austin, hailing from the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club in suburban Melbourne, was struck on the neck while batting on Tuesday. Despite wearing a helmet, it lacked a neck guard, leaving him vulnerable to the fatal blow delivered by a ball thrown with a side-arm technique.
The promising young cricketer was preparing for an upcoming T20 match, facing fast bowlers in the nets when the accident occurred, much to the horror of his teammates.
Following the incident, Austin was placed on a ventilator in a desperate bid to save his life. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries, echoing the heartbreaking case of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes, who passed away under similar circumstances in 2014.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club officially confirmed Austin's untimely death on Thursday. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport and has cast a pall over the cricketing community worldwide.
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