Coroner rules Ben Austin’s death a tragic misadventure

A coroner has ruled that the death of 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin was a “misadventure” resulting from a training accident. Coroner Simon McGregor stated that no individual or organization was responsible for the incident, describing it as a tragedy involving “well-meaning young people using proper equipment” within a “caring well-run club.”

Austin died in a hospital after being struck in the neck by an accidental full toss while practicing in the nets at Ferntree Gully on October 28 last year. Following the ruling, Austin’s parents, Jace and Tracey, expressed comfort that no changes would be made to the sport his son loved.

While no adverse findings were made regarding this specific incident, the Wayne Taylor Reviews continue to investigate broader governance and safety risk communication across Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia.