NEW DELHI: India and Australia players observed a moment’s silence and wore black armbands during the second T20I at the MCG on Friday as a tribute to teenage cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically passed away after being struck by a ball during training.

Both teams lined up in silence to pay their respects to the young cricketer, also extending a heartfelt message of support to his friend who was bowling at the time of the tragic accident.

Seventeen-year-old Ben Austin was struck on the neck while batting at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club in suburban Melbourne on Tuesday.

The teenager, who was wearing a helmet without a neck guard, was hit by a delivery thrown using a side-arm while training with his club teammates ahead of a T20 match.

Austin was immediately placed on a ventilator after the incident but, tragically, succumbed to his injuries – reviving painful memories of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes’ death in 2014 under similar circumstances.

Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed Austin’s passing on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, Cricket Victoria released a statement from Ben’s father, Jace Austin, on behalf of the family.

“We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning,” the family said in the statement.

“For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.

“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 loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.”