World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Coroner rules Ben Austin’s cricket training death a misadventure
A Victorian coroner ruled Ben Austin’s death a misadventure after investigating the 17-year-old cricketer’s death.
Austin was hit in the neck by an accidental full toss while training with a friend at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club on October 28 last year, and died in hospital.
Coroner Simon McGregor said no person or organisation contributed to his death and will make no adverse findings or recommendations.
He said the young players used proper equipment properly at a caring, well-run club.
Austin’s parents said they were comforted that no changes would be made to the game he loved.
Reviews by Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia are still underway into broader governance and how potential safety risks are communicated.
A coroner has ruled that 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin died by misadventure after being hit in the neck by a cricket ball during training.
Coroner Simon McGregor said well-meaning young people were using proper equipment at a caring, well-run club.
He said no individual or organisation contributed to Austin’s death and he would make no adverse findings or recommend rule changes.
Austin’s parents said they were relieved there would be no changes to the game their son loved.
The coroner is considering comments about cricket governance and how safety guidance is communicated.
- Who
- Ben Austin, a 17-year-old cricketer, died after being hit by a ball during training.
- What
- Coroner Simon McGregor ruled the death a misadventure. He said he would make no adverse findings or recommend rule changes.
- When
- The incident occurred on October 28 last year. The coroner announced his initial conclusions at a directions hearing on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Cricket nets at Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s outer east. Austin later died at Monash Children’s Hospital.
- Why
- The coroner said well-meaning young people were using proper equipment properly at a caring, well-run club.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Austin was hit in the neck by a ball while training in cricket nets at Ferntree Gully.
The MCG crowd observed a moment of silence for Austin before an Australia–India Twenty20 international.
Coroner Simon McGregor said Austin’s death was a misadventure and that he would make no adverse findings or recommend rule changes.
The coroner’s formal findings are due to be handed down.
- Age
- 17
- Coroner
- Simon McGregor
- Training location
- Ferntree Gully, Melbourne’s outer east
- Injury
- Hit in the neck by a cricket ball
- Hospital
- Monash Children’s Hospital
- Formal findings
- Due before Christmas
2 sources
What people are saying
There's no way we want to change this great game
But on the other hand, we don't want another Benny or Phil [Hughes, who died in similar circumstances in 2014].
a misadventure by well-meaning young people using proper equipment, using equipment that was proper, using it properly, in a caring well-run club
Cricket is a safe sport. It's always been a safe sport. We have measures in place to make sure that's the case.