3 hours ago
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Cricket star Jack Sullivan has revealed how he cheated death in a recent T20 match at the MCG.
It follows the recent tragedy which rocked the sport involving Ben Austin, 17, who died after he was struck in the neck while batting in the nets in Melbourne's southeast on October 28.
Sullivan, 19, was turning out for the Melbourne Cricket Club against a national Indigenous XI when a ball was hit straight back at him with considerable force.
With virtually no time to react, the paceman collapsed on the pitch and began convulsing after he was struck in the mouth.
Sullivan lost consciousness, but came to after three or four minutes - and knows he is lucky to tell the tale.
The teenager from Torquay was taken to the Alfred Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a gash to the right corner of his mouth.
Cricket star Jack Sullivan has revealed how he cheated death in a recent T20 match at the MCG (pictured, before his grade debut for the Melbourne Cricket Club)
It follows the tragedy which rocked the sport involving Ben Austin (pictured) who died after he was struck in the neck when batting in the nets in Melbourne's southeast on October 28
In 2014, Aussie Test cricketer Phillip Hughes died days after he was struck in the neck by a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game for South Australia at the SCG
He also suffered a cracked cheekbone.
'The poor young kid (Ben Austin) lost his life a few days after this happened to me. It's made me think how lucky I am,' he told News Corp.
'If I'd got hit a few inches higher, like somewhere near the temple or anywhere in the skull, rather than in the mouth, god knows what it could have been. It's not something I like to think about.'
Sullivan wasn't supposed to play in the match, but the chance to bowl a few overs on the hallowed turf at the 'G saw him convince his coach - former Australian batsman Will Pucovski - to name him.
Thankfully Sullivan has no memory of the actual incident, but does recall 'being on the ground and seeing a lot of blood spilling onto my hands.'
A doctor from the national Indigenous XI also raced to Sullivan's aid within seconds as he lay prone on the turf.
He was by his side until Sullivan regained consciousness.
Despite the chilling incident, Sullivan has no plans to walk away from the sport, declaring he is 'itching to get back out there.'
In 2014, Aussie Test cricketer Phillip Hughes died days after he was struck in the neck by a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game for South Australia at the SCG against NSW.
