Ben Austin, the young cricketer who was earlier hit in the neck by a ball delivered through a sidearm thrower in Melbourne’s east tragically passed away on Thursday. The 17-year-old Ferntree Gully Cricket Club player was training at Wally Tew Reserve when the fatal incident occurred. Despite wearing a helmet, the ball hit a vulnerable spot on his neck. Paramedics rushed to the venue on Tuesday evening and transported him to Monash Medical Centre, where he remained in critical condition before succumbing to the injury two days later. The fatal impact drew immediate parallels with the 2014 tragedy of Phil Hughes, who had died after a similar blow during a Sheffield Shield match. Head of Cricket Victoria, Nick Cummins, said as quoted by ABC, “The ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered ten years ago.” Read also: Teen Cricketer on Life Support After Head Injury in Melbourne Cricket Community Mourns “Benny” as Tributes Pour In The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club expressed heartbreak in a public statement. It reads, “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 also extended gratitude to emergency responders and urged respect for the grieving Austin family. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird called it “a heartbreaking day for the sport.” He added, “Cricket is a sport that brings people together. It’s also one that feels very deeply.” Across Melbourne, cricket clubs left bats outside pavilions with the message “Bats out for Benny.” Teammates described him as humble, dedicated, and full of promise — a young cricketer whose spirit touched everyone he played with.