Young cricketer Ben Austin’s death ruled a tragic accident

Young cricketer Ben Austin died by “misadventure”, a coroner investigating the 17-year-old’s death has said.

Just weeks from the first anniversary of Austin’s death his parents, Jace and Tracey, arrived at the Coroners Court of Victoria on Friday for a brief directions hearing into their son’s death.

Coroner Simon McGregor revealed he will not be making any adverse findings or recommendations about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said no individual or organisation had contributed to Austin’s death and it was “a misadventure by well-meaning young people using proper equipment, using equipment that was proper, using it properly, in a caring well-run club”.

Austin died in hospital after being hit in the neck by an accidental full toss while training with a friend in cricket nets at Ferntree Gully on October 28 last year.

Ben’s parents said outside court they were comforted to learn there would be no changes made to the game their son loved.

Reviews remain underway across Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia into broader governance and the way potential safety risks are communicated.

Ben’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across the local, domestic and international cricket communities.

The MCG crowd observed a moment of silence in tribute to Ben ahead of the Twenty20 international between Australia and India the day after his death.

At the Junction Oval, Victorian and Tasmanian cricketers led tributes during a Sheffield Shield match, lining the field with their bats and caps.

More to come

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