A truly horrific event has shaken the cricketing world. Seventeen-year-old Ben Austin tragically passed away in December after sustaining a fatal injury during a training accident in suburban Melbourne. Matt, meanwhile, was hit in the throat by a cricket ball when batting in the nets at Ferntree Gully. Although he was quickly treated and initially stabilized in the field, Mr. Wright was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, he passed away from his injuries soon after.
The crash took place during a training exercise in October 2025, similar to Phillip Hughes’ tragic death. Hughes, an Australian Test cricketer, died tragically from a fatal on-field injury in November 2014. He was hit about the ear by a bouncer during a first-class match between South Australia and New South Wales. And yet he was just 25 years old at the time of his death.
Austin’s injury has drawn significant media attention due to its chilling similarity to Hughes’ fatal accident. Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins remarked on the haunting parallels, stating, “the ball hit him in the neck in a similar accident that Phil Hughes suffered 10 years ago.”
Cricket Australia’s response to this violence was to cancel the first scheduled Test against India. They accomplished this in Austin’s memory. The loss of such a monumental figure leaves an undeniable impact that resonates deeply within the cricket community. In a statement released on behalf of the family, Ben’s father, Jace Austin, expressed their grief, saying, “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.”
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club mourned Austin’s loss, stating, “We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community.”
Michael Finn, President of the Ringwood and District Cricket Association, said medical help arrived within minutes at the site. A few minutes later, paramedics arrived to assume care of the scene. This rapid response highlights the urgency and severity that practitioners should respond to when injuries are incurred during practice.
The entire cricketing world feels this loss of such a promising young talent. This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder of the dangers that are an inherent part of that sport. The deaths of both Phillip Hughes and Ben Austin highlight the need for ongoing discussions around player safety and protective measures within cricket.
