Why memorial round for cricketer Ben Austin was suddenly postponed - after moving tribute at scene of the tragedy

4 hours ago 12
  • Constant rain resulted in memorial round being postponed
  • Teenager died on October 30 after tragedy in Melbourne's east
  • Ben Austin, 17, was struck on the neck ahead of a T20 game

By ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 05:10 GMT, 8 November 2025 | Updated: 05:11 GMT, 8 November 2025

Wet weather has seen the planned memorial round for cricketer Ben Austin in Melbourne postponed.

The Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association was set to have a minute's silence before each match this weekend to honour the teenager, who was struck in the neck by a cricket ball while warming up in the nets before a suburban T20 game on October 28.

He died two days later in hospital. 

'Unfortunately today's play has been abandoned – we will be doing our planned tributes for Ben Austin next week, before each of the rescheduled one-day games,' Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement on their Facebook page on Saturday.

Cricket Victoria cancelled matches across the state last week following Ben's death which rocked the sport.

The Ferntree Gully club also named Ben as 12th man for their senior XI this weekend.

Wet weather has seen the planned memorial round for cricketer Ben Austin in Melbourne's east this weekend postponed

The Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association was set to have a minute's silence before each match to honour the teenager, who was struck in the neck on October 28 and died two days later

On Saturday at the scene of the incident, a number of new tributes were laid (pictured, Wally Tew Reserve in Melbourne's east)

Fresh tributes were laid at Wally Trew Reserve on Saturday - the scene of the tragedy - before the memorial postponement was confirmed on social media.

On Thursday, club members gathered before training for a minute's silence to remember the popular teenager, with his initials and player number 'BA 512' painted on the main field a week after the horror accident.

'Our players, committee, volunteers and supporters all got together to mark the occasion,' a club spokesman said.

'Thank you to the team at Australian Sportlines Linemarking and Logo, it looks amazing.'

Club president Lee Thompson described Thursday's tribute as 'an incredibly healing moment.'

It comes as Cricket Victoria urged local clubs around the state to consider a similar gesture.

'Clubs and associations who wish to participate are invited to wear black armbands, and observe a minute's silence before the start of play,' CV said in a statement.

'We also recognise that clubs and associations may wish to acknowledge Ben in their own way, and we support all respectful tributes.'

Read Entire Article
Pemilu | Tempo | |