In a poignant start to the second Twenty20 international between Australia and India, both teams paid heartfelt tributes to Ben Austin, a 17-year-old cricketer who tragically passed away following a training accident earlier this week. The match, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, saw players from both sides wearing black armbands in memory of the young talent. A moment of silence was observed before the game, with Austin’s image displayed on stadium screens and his favorite song played as a tribute. The emotional atmosphere was further heightened by the presence of representatives from Austin’s club, as well as state and national cricket administrators. Australia’s captain, Mitch Marsh, won the toss and chose to field first, making one lineup change by replacing Josh Philippe with Matt Short. India, on the other hand, retained the same lineup from the washed-out first game of the five-match series. The match attracted a capacity crowd, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Earlier in the day, a similar tribute was held during the Sheffield Shield domestic first-class match between Victoria and Tasmania at Junction Oval in Melbourne, where players also wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence. The series continues with both teams aiming to secure a victory in honor of Austin’s memory.
Australia wins the toss and fields against India after tribute to dead teenage cricketer
