Australia's top cricketers have taken part in a touching tribute to Ben Austin, the 17-year-old who died following a tragic training mishap in the nets earlier this week.
Players from Victoria and Tasmania held a minute's silence before today's final day of play in their Sheffield Shield clash in Melbourne.
They also lined up their bats and caps against the Junction Oval's white picket fence and wore black armbands in memory of Austin, echoing the same tributes cricketers around the country made following the death of Test batter Phillip Hughes in 2014.
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Black armbands were also worn by Australian and Indian players during the two sides' Women's World Cup semi-final overnight, as well as in the other two Shield matches currently under way in Brisbane and Perth.
Austin was struck in the neck while practising in the nets at Melbourne's Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday afternoon and died from his injuries in hospital yesterday morning.
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"We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben. For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends," his father, Jace Austin, said.
"This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket.
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"He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life."
Austin was also remembered as a talented Australian rules footballer and "emerging star" in the Victorian umpiring scene.
"It is a shock to everyone to lose such a young, vibrant person in these tragic circumstances," Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) chief executive Jason Reddick said.
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"On behalf of the entire VAFA community, we send our deepest condolences to Ben's parents, Tracey and Jace, who is also a much-loved figure around community footy, plus Ben's brothers Cooper and Zach, along with all who knew and loved Ben."
Cricket authorities have pledged to do everything possible to support Austin's family and friends following his death.
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"Cricket is a sport that brings people together, communities together," Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said yesterday.
"It's also one that feels very deeply in incidents such as we've seen.
"It's hard to put words on it, what we want to say is we're doing everything we can to support the family, the club and all those impacted by this tragic news.
"Clearly there are things we have to learn from this, but right now we're concerned about the family and trying to support them in every way."
Another tribute is expected to be held for Austin at tonight's T20 international between Australia and India at the MCG.
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