Teenage cricketer dies in Melbourne after being hit by ball

An Australian teenager has died after he was hit by a cricket ball during a practice session in Melbourne.

Ben Austin, 17, was training in cricket nets in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday when he was struck in the head or neck by a ball from an automatic bowling machine. It’s believed he was wearing a helmet.

Emergency workers were called to the scene shortly before 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and the boy was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He was put on life support but died on Wednesday.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said it was “absolutely devastated” by the “tragic passing” of one its players and the teenager’s death “will be felt by all in our cricket community”.

Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association president Arnie Walters said Ben was “both talented and popular in local cricket”.

“I know how heavily this news will land across our community and we will provide any and all support we can to our clubs and cricket family,” he said.

In a social media post, Ben’s cricket club extended their condolences to his family and friends and “to all of those who knew Ben and the joy that he brought”.

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

On behalf of the teenager’s family, the club also thanked Ambulance Victoria, the police and hospital staff.

Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, for which Ben played more than 100 games, said he was “kind”, “respectful” and a “fantastic footballer”.

“Our club and community have lost a truly great young person who was developing into a fine young adult and his loss will be felt keenly by our club for many years to come.”

The BBC has contacted Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria for comment.

The incident comes just over a decade after Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being struck on the neck by a ball while batting in the Sheffield Shield in 2014.

His death, for which a coroner ultimately found no-one was to blame, sparked improvements to safety equipment for those playing the sport.