Tributes are seen at the cricket nets in memory of 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who died two days after being struck by a ball at cricket practice. Photo: AFP
The cricketing world has lowered its head and raised its bat for Ben Austin, a Melbourne teenager who died after an accident at cricket training.
On Tuesday afternoon, Ben was practising in the nets at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne's south-east, when he was struck in the neck by a ball thrown by a "wanger" - a ball throwing device.
Ben later died at Monash Children's Hospital.
Figures at the highest level of the game are mourning his death.
At St Kilda's Junction Oval in Melbourne a scheduled Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania opened with a minute's silence for the fallen 17-year-old.
A young man lays flowers at the cricket nets in memory of 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who died after a cricket accident in Melbourne. Photo: AFP
Players laid their bats out in tribute, while photos of Ben were projected onto the scoreboard.
In Navi Mumbai on Thursday night the Australian women's cricket team wore black armbands as they took to the field for their World Cup semi-final, paying tribute to Ben.
Former test batsman and coach for Australia, Darren Lehmann, said the cricket community had been rocked by the death.
"It's just shock isn't it? Our thoughts are obviously with the families involved, and to lose someone so young to a tragic incident is unbelievable," he told ABC Melbourne radio.
"It just brought back, obviously, memories of Phillip Hughes and what happened there.
"It's a dangerous game, cricket, so we've got to make sure we're taking all the safety measures we possibly can."
Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins said the response from the cricketing world following Ben's death had been "bittersweet".
"It makes you so proud to realise how connected the cricket community is and how much we look after each other," he said.
"It doesn't take a lot of imagination to put yourself in the Austin family's position."
Black Cap offers condolences
In New Zealand, Black Cap Michael Bracewell offered his team's condolences to the Austin family.
"No one expects to go out and play the sport they love and expects to lose a loved one.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and anyone else who was involved in that terrible situation."
It was not just the sport's biggest stars who were sending their condolences to Ben's family.
Mourners gathered to leave tributes at the cricket nets following news of Ben Austin's death. Photo: ABC News
On social media, families around the country posted photos and messages, putting cricket bats outside their homes to acknowledge the tragedy.
The cricket nets at Wally Tew Reserve remained draped in cricket jerseys, flowers and handwritten notes on Friday.
Teammates and friends left favourite snacks and scrawled messages on cricket bats, sharing their own personal memories of Ben.
Club remembers 'beautiful' young leader
President of the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, Lee Thompson, said Ben was "the most respectful kid" one could meet.
"You'd be proud to have him as your son, or your brother," Thompson said.
"He was the first to do the dishes in the kitchen, he was the first to put his hand and say 'g'day'."
Thompson said the tragedy had brought everyone involved in the sport together.
"It's really, really affected the cricket community, forget about just Australia or our area around here," he said.
"Someone so young, in the prime of his life. That's what's really hurting."
Thompson said he had been overwhelmed by the support and was sure the family was also overwhelmed.
Josh Henry had coached Ben for the past four years and said he had been a fixture at the club since he was a young child.
"He was just a really loving, caring, beautiful boy," Henry said.
- ABC, with RNZ Sport
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