Cricket Community's Tribute Delayed by Inclement Weather
The planned memorial round for young cricketer Ben Austin in Melbourne's eastern suburbs has been postponed due to persistent wet weather conditions. The Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association had organised a series of tributes for this weekend to honour the teenager whose life was tragically cut short.
Tragic Incident That Shook Local Cricket
Ben Austin was struck in the neck by a cricket ball while warming up in the nets before a suburban T20 game on October 28. The promising young player succumbed to his injuries two days later in hospital, sending shockwaves through the local sporting community.
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed the postponement through a statement on their Facebook page last Saturday. "Unfortunately today's play has been abandoned – we will be doing our planned tributes for Ben Austin next week, before each of the rescheduled one-day games," the club announced.
Moving Tributes and Community Response
Despite the weather-related delay, the cricket community has already begun paying their respects. Fresh tributes were laid at Wally Trew Reserve on Saturday, the very location where the tragic incident occurred earlier last month.
In a particularly poignant gesture last Thursday, club members gathered before training for a minute's silence to remember the popular teenager. The club had his initials and player number 'BA 512' painted on the main field, creating a lasting memorial at the ground.
"Our players, committee, volunteers and supporters all got together to mark the occasion," a club spokesman commented, expressing gratitude to Australian Sportlines Linemarking and Logo for their work on the tribute.
Club president Lee Thompson described the gathering as "an incredibly healing moment" for everyone affected by the loss.
In a touching honour, the Ferntree Gully club named Ben as 12th man for their senior XI this weekend, ensuring his presence would be felt among his teammates.
Cricket Victoria has responded to the tragedy by cancelling matches across the state last week and now encouraging local clubs throughout Victoria to consider similar gestures of remembrance. The governing body issued a statement inviting "clubs and associations who wish to participate to wear black armbands, and observe a minute's silence before the start of play."
Cricket Victoria also acknowledged that different clubs might prefer to honour Ben in their own unique ways, affirming their support for "all respectful tributes" to the young cricketer.
