Young cricketer loses life after accident with automatic bowling machine

Canberra (The Uttam Hindu): A sad news has come from the cricket world. A 17-year-old young cricketer in Melbourne, Australia died after being hit by a ball during practice. This accident has caused a wave of mourning in the local sports community. According to media reports, 17-year-old Ben Austin was practicing at Volley Tu Reserve in Ferntree Gully on Tuesday afternoon. While facing balls from an automatic bowling machine in the nets, despite wearing a helmet, the ball hit his head and neck area.

Paramedical team reached the spot soon after the incident and Ben was taken to Monash Medical Centre in a critical condition. Doctors tried their best to save him but he died on Wednesday. Ben's father Jess Austin expressed his deep grief over the death of his son and said, "We are completely devastated by the loss of our beloved Ben. This accident is the biggest shock of our lives but we take some solace in the fact that he was doing what he loved most - playing cricket in the nets with his friends."

He further said that the family also extends condolences to the player who was bowling in the nets. This accident has deeply affected the lives of two young people, and their families stand with the player and his family. Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, for which Ben played, issued a statement on Thursday confirming his death and expressing deep condolences. Flowers, cards, sweets, a water bottle and a cricket bat were placed at the club premises as a tribute. Meanwhile, in Perth, Western Australia players paid tribute to Ben by wearing black armbands during the match.