By Natasha Schapova, ABC
Photo: ABC News
Cricket bats adorned with caps and helmets are decorating front porches across east Melbourne to commemorate a teenager who was fatally struck by a ball on Tuesday.
Ben Austin was training at a Ferntree Gully park when a "wanger" - a ball throwing device - propelled a cricket ball into his neck.
The 17-year-old was taken to hospital and died on Thursday.
The scene of the accident, the Wally Tew Reserve cricket nets, transformed into a shrine as mourners paid tribute to the keen cricketer.
Mourners flowed in and out throughout the afternoon, leaving behind cricket shirts, bats and flowers.
Ben was wearing a helmet but not a neck guard when he was hi
Continue Reading on RNZ
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.