Melbourne: A young cricketer has died after being hit in the neck by a ball during a practice match.
The deceased has been identified as Ben Austin (17).
The incident occurred while he was practicing at the Valley Two Reserve in Ferintree Gully on Tuesday afternoon, the report said.
Austin, who was wearing a helmet, was facing balls from an official bowling machine during net practice when the ball hit his head and neck.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and took him to Monash Medical Centre. However, he died on Wednesday, the report said.
“Ben was a star cricketer, a great leader and a promising young talent,” it said. Ben, who played for Mulgrave and Ealdon Cricket Clubs, represented the Waverley Park Hawks in junior football, the report said.