During the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 semifinal between India and Australia, players from both countries donned black armbands. This somber gesture was a tribute to 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically passed away in a net practice accident. The entire cricket world is shaken by this heartbreaking news, and the players paid their respects to Ben Austin by wearing black armbands on the field.
The BCCI also posted a tribute to Ben Austin.
Did the Bowling Machine Cause Ben's Death?
Australian teen cricketer Ben Austin was practicing at Melbourne's Ferntree Gully's Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday afternoon when a ball from an automatic bowling machine struck his head and neck while he was wearing a helmet. The medical team rushed to the scene, and Austin was taken to Monash Medical Centre in critical condition. Despite the doctors' best efforts, he sadly passed away.
Read More: Tragic Incident in Melbourne: Young Cricketer Dies from Bowling Machine Ball
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, where Ben played, confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday and expressed their grief. Hours after Ben's demise, flowers, cards, sweets, a water bottle, and a cricket bat were laid in tribute at the club. In Perth, Western Australian players also wore black armbands to honor Ben.
Australia's Playing XI in the World Cup Semifinal:
Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy (wicketkeeper/captain), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molinue, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.
India's Playing XI in the World Cup Semifinal:
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Radha Yadav, Kranthi Gaud, Shri Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
