Teen's tragic cricket death won't lead to rule changes

Ben Austin would have wanted the game to go on and for everyone to keep playing it, his father says. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The parents of a young cricketer who died after being struck in the neck at training are relieved a coroner will not recommend changes to the game he loved so much.

Ben Austin, 17, was batting in the nets at Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne's east, on the afternoon of October 28, 2025 when he was hit.