The cricket world was rocked again this week with the tragic news of Ben Austin, a promising young player who lost his life during a training session in Melbourne. It’s hard not to recall Phillip Hughes’ death back in 2014, another devastating reminder that even the most familiar sport can turn cruelly unpredictable. In a blink, memories of Hughes, remembered forever as 63 not out forever, come flooding back, making us all pause and reflect.

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The Fateful Ball

For those who remember, Phillip Hughes’ death wasn’t just tragic; it was shocking. On 25 November 2014, Hughes was facing Sean Abbott in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG. A short-pitched delivery struck him on the neck, causing a rare arterial injury that led to a brain haemorrhage. Despite immediate medical attention and emergency surgery, Hughes passed away two days later. It was one of those moments that made the cricketing world stop in disbelief, mourning the untimely loss of a 25-year-old talent who had already achieved so much. His score at the time, 63, became a lasting symbol of the player he was, forever remembered as 63 not out forever.

Sean Abbott’s Perspective

For Sean Abbott, the bowler who delivered that fateful ball, the days following were surreal. “It was all a bit of a blur,” he recalled.

“I felt super tired and dazed, and these feelings stayed with me for days.”

Abbott has consistently expressed that he does not want the laws of cricket fundamentally changed because of that one tragic incident. To him, the game will always carry risks, and the solution lies in better protective gear and awareness, rather than banning bouncers outright. Even now, he speaks of Hughes with admiration, remembering him as a tough competitor and someone he always looked up to. Abbott’s reflections highlight the emotional weight carried by players involved in such tragedies, as well as the enduring impact on the sport itself.

Lessons Learned…or Not?

One might hope that after Phillip Hughes’ death, cricket would become a fortress of safety. Indeed, Cricket Australia mandated helmets compliant with British Standard BS 7928 and added neck protectors for batters facing fast bowling. The ICC also introduced strict concussion protocols and protective equipment regulations. Yet, the recent death of Ben Austin exposes a sobering truth: at grassroots levels, enforcement can be patchy. Young players, even wearing helmets, are still vulnerable if neck guards aren’t used or if supervision lapses.

Vale Ben Austin.

Cricket Australia is devastated at the passing of 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin following an accident while batting in the nets on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/zBifuqrrRG

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 30, 2025

The tragedy raises uncomfortable questions: has cricket truly internalised the lesson? Or are regulations only as strong as the systems enforcing them? The memory of Hughes, remembered as 63 not out forever, and now Ben, leaves a haunting reminder that even the best intentions aren’t enough without rigorous implementation.

A Sport in Mourning

These incidents underscore a fundamental tension in cricket. The balance between maintaining tradition and ensuring safety. While elite players are now better protected, youth cricketers often rely on coaches, parents, and local clubs to enforce safety measures consistently. Both Sean Abbott and the wider cricket community have expressed the need for better awareness and training, but the stark reality remains: tragic accidents can still happen. As fans, players, and administrators, the challenge is ensuring that lessons from the past are not just commemorated with moments of silence or symbolic scores, but acted upon rigorously at every level of the game.

Forever 63 not out. Forever in our hearts.

10 years on, we remember Phillip Hughes. pic.twitter.com/TxN1TWwXxM

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 26, 2024

Remembering Phillip and Ben

The stories of Hughes and Ben are sobering reminders of cricket’s inherent risks. Phillip Hughes’ death changed the game’s approach to safety, yet Ben Austin’s recent passing suggests more work remains. As we remember Hughes at 63 not out forever, it’s also crucial to honor young players like Austin by pushing for safety standards that leave no room for oversight. And as for Sean Abbott, the human face behind the ball that altered history, his reflections remind us of the fragility of life on the pitch, and the resilience required to continue in a sport we all love.