The grieving dad of a Melbourne teen who was killed in a tragic cricket training accident this week says his son would be “stoked” to see the outpouring of support in the wake of his death.
Ben Austin, 17, died in hospital yesterday morning after he was hit in the neck while batting in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday afternoon.
His family today returned the nets, where a tribute of flowers and cricket bats has been growing.
Jace Austin (left), pictured alongside Ben’s uncle Dave Anstey, said the family was overwhelmed by support in the wake of the teenager’s tragic death. (Nine)Jace Austin paid tribute to his late son at Wally Tew Reserve. (Nine)
“We just wanted to be where he last stood. And then the sun came through the clouds. It was beautiful, just what we needed,” father Jace said.
“I thought I’d never get back there, but Benny would have wanted that because he just loved the game.”
Ben’s dad said the 17-year-old played cricket as much as he could.
“He used to play Friday night, Saturday, Saturday afternoon and Sunday. He loved it,” he said.
“He wanted to be a boundary umpire, a PE teacher and get as high as he could with his cricket.”
Victorian and Tasmanian players held a minute’s silence for Ben Austin, who died yesterday. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)Austin died after he was hit in the head and neck by a cricket ball during on Tuesday evening. (Nine)
Jace thanked emergency services and the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club for helping to treat Ben at the scene.
“We got another three days out of him because they helped get him back to the hospital so that we could just spend nights with him and that will be with me forever. Thank you everyone.”
He urged the community not to let the tragedy deter them from playing “the great game” of cricket.
“It wasn’t the game’s fault, it was just a freak accident,” Jace said.
“So please make sure you keep playing this great game.”
Players lined up their bats in memory of Austin before today’s play. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Touching tribute from nation’s top cricketers
Jace said the Ferntree Gully teen would be “stoked” to see a touching tribute by Australia’s top cricketers in the wake of his death.
Players from Victoria and Tasmania held a minute’s silence before today’s final day of play in their Sheffield Shield clash in Melbourne.
They also lined up their bats and caps against the Junction Oval’s white picket fence and wore black armbands in memory of Austin, echoing the same tributes cricketers around the country made following the death of Test batter Phillip Hughes in 2014.
Black armbands were also worn by Australian and Indian players during the two sides’ Women’s World Cup semi-final overnight, as well as in the other two Shield matches currently under way in Brisbane and Perth.
Ben’s uncle, David Anstey, sifted through a growing wall of tributes for the teenager at the nets where he spent his last moments.
“He’s just the most special kid you could ever meet,” Anstey said.
“He’s respectful of everyone, whether it’s his teammates, schoolmates, club members, old, young.
Victoria and Australia spinner Todd Murphy puts his bat and cap out for Austin. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
“Just the most loving and caring kid and I think everyone who met him was impacted in some way by him.”
Ben’s cricket coach Josh Henry remembered the teenager as a “perfect kid”.
“Ben was a beautiful boy. He was so loving, caring, polite. He’d do anything for anyone,” he said.
“We all love him and miss him dearly.”
Austin was also remembered as a talented Australian rules footballer and “emerging star” in the Victorian umpiring scene.
“It is a shock to everyone to lose such a young, vibrant person in these tragic circumstances,” Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) chief executive Jason Reddick said yesterday.
Similar tributes were held for Phillip Hughes after the Test batter’s death in 2014. (Fairfax Media)
“On behalf of the entire VAFA community, we send our deepest condolences to Ben’s parents, Tracey and Jace, who is also a much-loved figure around community footy, plus Ben’s brothers Cooper and Zach, along with all who knew and loved Ben.”
Cricket authorities have pledged to do everything possible to support Austin’s family and friends following his death.
Australian and Indian players also wore black armbands in last night’s Women’s World Cup semi-final. (AP)
“Cricket is a sport that brings people together, communities together,” Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said yesterday.
“It’s also one that feels very deeply in incidents such as we’ve seen.
“It’s hard to put words on it, what we want to say is we’re doing everything we can to support the family, the club and all those impacted by this tragic news.
“Clearly there are things we have to learn from this, but right now we’re concerned about the family and trying to support them in every way.”
Another tribute is expected to be held for Austin at tonight’s T20 international between Australia and India at the MCG.
