The Melbourne Cricket Ground fell silent this evening as players and fans paused to remember young Victorian cricketer Ben Austin ahead of the BKT Tyres T20 International between Australia and India.
Fifteen minutes before play, both teams stood together with match officials and representatives from Ben’s clubs, Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia, to honour the 17-year-old who died last week after being struck during training at Ferntree Gully.
As the crowd stood still, Ben’s image appeared on the big screen. Players, umpires and MCG staff wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
The silence was total. Even in a stadium that usually roars with colour and sound, there was only quiet—a moment shared by thousands who understood the weight of the loss.
Ben was a rising star in Victorian cricket, known for his leadership and generosity on and off the field. Earlier this year, he captained the FTGDCA Under-16s to a Grand Final victory and represented Rowville Sports Academy.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the sporting community. The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club described the club as “absolutely devastated,” while the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club remembered him as “a kind, respectful, popular and much loved player.”
Tonight’s tribute ensured Ben’s spirit was remembered in the way he lived—through the game he loved, and through the quiet strength of a community standing together.
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