As it happened: Trump signs bill to release all Epstein files; Liberals want ‘Australian values’ screening for new migrants
On a cricket field in Melbourne’s inner-east, about 1000 mourners have gathered to mark the life of a cheeky teen who lived and breathed cricket.
The shock death of 17-year-old Ben Austin last month, after he was struck in the neck with a ball during cricket practice, has left the sport reeling in an incident immediately likened to that which killed Australian star cricketer Phillip Hughes in 2014.
On Thursday morning, mourners filed into packed stands at St Kilda’s Junction Oval, the home of Cricket Victoria, many of them teens in their sports and school uniforms.
The funeral service for 17-year-old Ben Austin. Credit: Joe Armao
Ben’s love for the game was infectious and it swept up everyone who knew him. He was the one cheering his teammates on when they were down in the final moments of a game, he was the laughter, the cheeky grin, the smart-arse joke.
“He got that from me,” said his father Jace, smiling through tears as he remembered the warmth and kindness of his eldest son. “And he got that from his mum … Well played, son.”
Members of Ben’s two local sport clubs joined his family on the pitch on Thursday to lay signed jerseys on a small black and white coffin, piled high with yellow roses, and sporting medals.
When a light rain saw umbrellas go up, almost all were in the black and white of Ben’s beloved football team, Collingwood. The club’s 2023 premiership cup even stood sentinel – beside Ben’s cricket bat and footy – loaned to the Austin family for the day as a special tribute by the AFL club.
The Collingwood Magpies 2023 premiership cup, loaned to the Austin family for Ben’s funeral. Credit: Joe Armao
Since Ben’s death, cricket greats both in Australia and around the world have honoured the young cricketer by wearing black armbands at matches. His dad, Jace, now wears Ben’s cricket cap almost everywhere he goes. Some of those closest to the family touched the cap this morning as they embraced Jace on the field.
Ben was always running, so resting won’t come easy, Jace said, but he knew his son’s spirit would live on in his community, in his two little brothers, Zach and Cooper, and in the game he loved so much.
Ben’s mother Tracey laid a kiss on the coffin of her “miracle baby”, as his friends carried it into the hearse for a final lap of honour around the field.
