Archive · 31 Oct 2025
India and Australia players wear black armbands to honor teen cricketer Ben Austin
A young Australian cricket player named Ben Austin, who was only 17, sadly passed away after being hit by a ball during a practice session.
Players from both the Indian and Australian cricket teams, including the men's and women's teams, wore black armbands to show their respect.
This happened during a T20 match and also during a Women's World Cup semifinal.
Ben was hit in the head and neck area while training, even though he was wearing a helmet.
His death has brought sadness to the cricket community and reminded people of a similar tragic incident in the past.
Indian and Australian cricketers wore black armbands during the second T20 International to honor 17-year-old Ben Austin.
Ben Austin died after being struck in the neck and head by a ball during a training session in Melbourne.
Both the men's and women's teams of India and Australia had previously worn black armbands to pay tribute to Austin.
Austin was wearing a helmet but not a neck guard when the fatal accident occurred during a nets session.
The incident evoked memories of the death of Australian batter Phillip Hughes in 2014 after a similar on-field injury.
- Who
- Players from the Indian and Australian men's and women's cricket teams.
- What
- Wore black armbands to honor 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin.
- When
- During the second T20 International on Friday; also during the Women's World Cup semifinal on Thursday.
- Where
- During the second T20 International (location not specified in article); during the Women's World Cup semifinal in Navi Mumbai.
- Why
- To honor the memory of Ben Austin, who tragically died after being struck by a ball during a training session.
Official Statements
Circumstances of the Accident
Protective Gear
Official Statements
The BCCI confirmed the teams were wearing black armbands to pay tribute to the player.
Circumstances of the Accident
Ben Austin was wearing a helmet but not a neck guard when he was struck by the ball.
- Deceased Cricketer
- Ben Austin
- Age
- 17
- Incident
- Struck by a ball during training
- Location of Training
- Ferntree Gully, suburban Melbourne
- Date of Incident
- Tuesday
- Tribute Event
- Wearing black armbands during second T20 International
- Tribute Extended To
- Indian and Australian teams (Men's and Women's)
Sources
Ben Austin: A young life in cricket snuffed out in the same way Phil Hughes passed away
Teen cricketer Ben Austin dies after freak training accident in Melbourne nets
Why India and Aus players wore black armbands