Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with black bands around their arms and bats resting along the fence, state cricketers have paid heartfelt tribute to a promising young player whose life was cut tragically short.
The death of 17-year-old Ben Austin, who was struck by a ball while batting in the nets on Tuesday afternoon in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne's east, has sparked international mourning.
His teammates rushed to help before paramedics transported him to hospital in a critical condition, where he died on Thursday morning.
Melbourne teen cricket tragedy sparks review of NZ safety policies - Watch on TVNZ+
Ahead of the Sheffield Shield fixture between Victoria and Tasmania at Junction Oval on Friday, players held a moment of silence in honour of the promising cricketer.
Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins described the tribute as bittersweet.
"It makes you so proud to realise how connected the cricket community is and how much we look after each other ... but it's a shame that it's these moments that remind you of that very fact," he told reporters on Friday.
"Ben was the classic Aussie boy or girl who loved footy in the winter and cricket in the summer.
"He is how we would like all of our children to turn out, and was living the dream."
A friend told AAP he understood Ben was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and the bowler was using a "wanger" – a plastic instrument used to sling a ball.
Within hours, dozens of flower bouquets, sweet treats and a handful of cricket bats left by grieving friends had turned into a memorial for the teen.
Friend and teammate Liam Vertigan said Ferntree Gully Cricket Club was in a state of shock over the death of such an energetic young man who lived and breathed cricket.
"He was just well loved by us all, very, very polite, always with a smile on his face," Vertigan told AAP.
Ben's father Jace described what happened as an accident that impacted not just his son but his teammate who was bowling in the nets at the time.
Austin said he and his wife Tracey were devastated and the family would forever cherish the shining light in their lives.
"This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket," he said in a statement.
Cricket Australia chief executive Mike Baird said the cricket world would come together to support the club and the Austin family.
Ben was involved in multiple football and cricket clubs, while earlier this year he received an award recognising him as a player who demonstrated dedication and the right attitude.
Australian cricketing great Merv Hughes said the young athlete's death had been felt far beyond his community.
"It doesn't matter what level of cricket you play, there's always a chance that something like this happens," he told reporters on Thursday.
The use of helmets and neck guards is mandated across all Cricket Australia-sanctioned competitions but only "strongly recommended" at the community level.
Hughes cautioned against making changes too hastily, saying there was more chance of being hit by lightning than dying in a cricket incident.
The accident came more than a decade after the death of Test cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was struck in the neck with a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Phillip's family were among those sending condolences to Ben's loved ones, expressing hope they would be comforted by cherished memories of the teenager.
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