Melbourne teenager killed playing cricket was victim of misadventure, coroner determines
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The death of a young cricketer struck in the neck during training was a tragic accident and no one was to blame, a coroner has determined.
Ben Austin, 17, was batting in the nets at Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s east, on the afternoon of October 28, 2025, when he was hit.
Ben Austin was at cricket training when a ball struck him on the neck. A Current Affair
Victorian coroner Simon McGregor is yet to formally deliver his findings but said he wanted to indicate his position before the upcoming cricket season.
“There will be no recommendations or comments about rule changes or equipment changes,” the coroner said at a directions hearing on Friday.
“The cricket season can continue in the normal way.“
He commended Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, which have started assessing the risk to players and whether any changes needed to be implemented.
Formal coronial findings will be handed down in coming months.
Ben’s parents Jace and Tracey Austin wiped away tears during Friday’s brief hearing.
They have previously described their son as an endless source of pride, who had his sights set on becoming a physical education teacher and AFL boundary umpire.
After he was stuck, Ben took off his helmet and lay down on the ground, with his teammates believing he was mucking around.
They quickly called for help from their coach after they realised Ben was in trouble.
The coach performed CPR until paramedics arrived and stabilised Ben, transferring him to hospital.
But the teen had suffered a vertebral artery dissection and his parents were informed surgery was unlikely to improve his condition.
The young cricketer’s death prompted an outpouring of grief. The Age/Justin McManus
Ben died in hospital the following day.
His parents were in court as McGregor advised there would not be an inquest into their son’s death.
McGregor had instead determined it was a case of misadventure by well-meaning young people who were using their cricket equipment properly.
“I’m satisfied there will be no adverse comments that need to be made about any behaviour,” the coroner said.
“No individual or organisation contributed to the cause of Ben’s death.“
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club oval was painted with a special tribute to Austin after his tragic death. Facebook
The coroner said while the incident was not a “freak event”, it was still a very rare occurrence.
His death led to an outpouring of tributes across the cricketing world, including at a Twenty20 match between Australia and India.
Hundreds of mourners attended Ben’s funeral at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in November 2025, where his coffin was adorned with the Collingwood Football Club emblem.
Family friends and coaches who spoke at the service said Ben was the heart of his teams and someone who never hesitated to help anyone else out.
Ben’s accident came 11 years after the death of Test cricketer Phillip Hughes.
The 25-year-old was struck in the neck with a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November 2014.
–AAP
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