A 17-year-old boy from Melbourne has tragically lost his life after being struck by a cricket ball during a practice session. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Ferntree Gully, where the teenager was training in cricket nets. Reports indicate that he was hit in the head or neck by a ball from an automatic bowling machine, despite reportedly wearing a helmet. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT), and the boy was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Despite being placed on life support, he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. The boy’s local cricket club expressed profound grief over the loss, describing it as a ‘tragic passing’ that would deeply affect the entire cricket community. Arnie Walters, president of the local cricket association, highlighted the boy’s talent and popularity, stating that the news would weigh heavily on the community. The club extended its condolences to the boy’s family and friends in a social media post, urging respect for their privacy during this difficult time. They also expressed gratitude to Ambulance Victoria, the police, and hospital staff for their efforts. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2014 death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, which led to significant improvements in safety equipment for the sport. The BBC has reached out to Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria for further comment.