'Well played, son': teen cricketer, Ben Austin, farewelled

The 17-year-old Melbourne teen died when a ball struck him in the neck during cricket training in October, 2025.

Transcript

00:00Ben, Andrew, Austin, my best friend.

00:05Ben and I started our journey together in Year 7 orientation and soon grew to become best mates.

00:11Ben was the type of person who'd sacrifice anything for you.

00:14He would always put your best interests before his.

00:17After that, he was the best friend I could ask for.

00:22As I look back on all the great memories,

00:25the thing I remember the most is that man's cheeky smile and him running around.

00:30There's no worries in life.

00:34He'd love to run.

00:36I remember Ben used to tell me every Wednesday he'd go for a run just because he was bored.

00:42I'd always assume he'd be like a 2K time drive, footy or something,

00:46but nah, it was a 10-pound run.

00:49He'd just run for a clock.

00:52That's the type of person Benny was.

00:55He was one of the most funniest people I've heard of a man, but also the nicest.

00:5917 years, 19 days, 5 hours.

01:03You lit up the world.

01:05Your mum and I have never been prouder.

01:08Benny, lend us your strength and spirit so we can keep moving forward in a way that would make you proud.

01:15The best goal you ever scored or four you ever hit wasn't on the field.

01:20It was when your soul chose us as your family.

01:23Very smart, mate.

01:24Choosing to be 90% your mum.

01:26Kindness, warmth, grace and definitely the good looks.

01:30Who can you ever see?

01:32New wonder, if you're in the way like that.

01:34He didn't know what, but he's trying to believe it.

01:37I'm taking care of you.

01:38What's next?

01:39I'm going to ask you to play some shot.

01:42You put your chest on the way before you got it.

01:44You're doing a lot.

01:45You look up for me.

01:47You're going to do an amazing job.

01:49You're going to write the mind to be your feet.

01:51You've got your chest on the way before you go.

01:53Where you're going your feet, not your feet.

01:55You're going to do a little bit, not your feet, not your feet.