Silence falls on stadium as thousands mourn teen’s life
William Ton and Rachael Ward |
In one of the world’s biggest stadiums, tens of thousands of usually rowdy cricket fans fell silent once the face of a young teenager beamed onto the screens.
Australian cricketers stood alongside their Indian counterparts on Friday night with black bands around their arms on the MCG turf, and the stadium fell silent in memory of Ben Austin, whose life was tragically cut short.
The 17-year-old was struck by a ball while batting in the nets on Tuesday in Melbourne’s east before succumbing to his injuries two days later.
A cap bearing Ben’s number 512 sat on a podium at the centre of the ground as the crowd of 75,000 spectators paid their respects before the game began.
The same was done before the Sheffield Shield fixture between Victoria and Tasmania at Junction Oval on Friday afternoon, where players held a moment of silence in honour of the promising cricketer.
Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins described the tribute as bittersweet.
“It makes you so proud to realise how connected the cricket community is and how much we look after each other … but it’s a shame that it’s these moments that remind you of that very fact,” he told reporters on Friday.
“Ben was the classic Aussie boy or girl who loved footy in the winter and cricket in the summer.
“He is how we would like all of our children to turn out, and was living the dream.”
A friend told AAP he understood Ben was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident in Ferntree Gully and the bowler was using a “wanger” – a plastic instrument used to sling a ball.
Grieving supporters have filled a memorial for the much-loved teen has with flower bouquets, sweet treats and cricket bats.
Friend and teammate Liam Vertigan said Ferntree Gully Cricket Club was in a state of shock over the death of such an energetic young man who lived and breathed cricket.
“He was just well loved by us all, very, very polite, always with a smile on his face,” Mr Vertigan told AAP.
Ben’s family returned to the club where his love for the sport began and the scene of the accident, laying his bat and gloves down for the last time.
His emotional father Jace reminisced about how he introduced his son to the sport and how Ben grew up as a sports enthusiast involved in multiple football and cricket clubs.
“This is a great game, cricket, it wasn’t the game’s fault. It was just a freak accident,” Mr Austin said.
“Please make sure you keep playing this great game. That’s what he would want.”
While the family was not at the T20 International match at the MCG on Friday, Mr Austin said his son would not have missed it.
“Benny will be there. He’ll be there … The fact that we’re not there that wouldn’t bother him. He would’ve gone anyway,” he said.
Cricket Australia chief executive Mike Baird said the cricket world would come together to support the club and the Austin family.
Australian cricketing great Merv Hughes said the young athlete’s death had been felt far beyond his community.
“It doesn’t matter what level of cricket you play, there’s always a chance that something like this happens,” he told reporters on Thursday.
The accident came more than a decade after the death of Test cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was struck in the neck with a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Hughes’ family were among those sending condolences to Ben’s loved ones, expressing hope they would be comforted by cherished memories of the teenager.
AAP
