KNOX: Gully mourns for Ben Austin, 17
The Ferntree Gully and wider district is mourning the death of local cricketer, Ben Austin, 17, after what his father Jace described as a “freak accident”.
Ben was struck by a cricket ball whilst training in the nets prior to a T20 match at Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday (Oct. 28). He died on Wednesday.
Tributes were paid by Australian snd international players.
His father, a life member at Ferntree Gully, said: “He loved Shield and Test cricket, and the vics and the Tassie boys doing (a tribute), he would have been stoked, and the fact that I’ve got a smile in this shit time – and it feels bad that I’m smiling – but he would have loved this. He would have been showing his other brothers.”
Floral tributes have been accumulating at the reserve. Other silent tributes have included players leaving their bats and caps at their front doors, and posting photos to social media.
“Ben was not only a fantastic footballer, he was also an exceptional cricketer, playing for the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Rowville Sports Academy in their Senior Cricket team. He was a wonderful all round athlete and loved by all who knew him,” said a condolence message from the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Austin family during this difficult time and send all our love to Jace, Tracey, Cooper and Zach.
“Our thoughts are also with Ben’s teammates, in both football and cricket, his extended family, friends and schoolmates at the Rowville Sports Academy.
“Ben was a kind, respectful, popular and much loved player at our club. He supported his team mates and was a support to all of the kids that he played with. He had a wide network of great friends who will miss him dearly.”
• A GoFundMe in asid of the Austin family had raised $140,000, as at last weekend.
Pictured: Ben Austin