🔗 Share this article Devastation Hits as Young Cricket Player Dies in Melbourne Following Impact by Ball Cricket Gear A 17-year-old player has died in the city after being struck by a cricket delivery An Down Under young sportsman has lost his life after being struck by a cricket delivery during a training drill in Melbourne. The teenage athlete was training in cricket nets in the Melbourne suburb on Tuesday when he was struck in the head or neck by a delivery from an automatic bowling machine. It's believed he was using a protective headgear at the time of the incident. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly before 17:00 local time and the young man was transported to the children's medical facility in grave state. He was put on medical support systems but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Community Reaction and Condolences The boy's local cricket club expressed they were "completely heartbroken" by the "untimely death" of one of their team members and that the adolescent's death "will be felt by everyone in our sports family". "I know how heavily this information will land across our community and we will offer every possible assistance we can to our clubs and cricket family," stated the community sports leader. In a online statement, the young man's cricket club offered their sympathies to his family and friends and "to all of those who knew him and the joy that he provided". "We request you to please honor the personal space of the loved ones during this difficult time," the message added. Safety Considerations in Cricket This tragedy happens just over a decade after a previous Australian cricketer passed away after being hit on the neck by a ball while playing in a domestic competition. That earlier tragedy, for which authorities determined no-one was to blame, catalyzed enhancements to safety equipment for those playing the sport. Head protection protection requirements were enhanced Neck guards became more common Equipment testing protocols were strengthened The sports community continues to stress the importance of proper safety equipment and awareness during training sessions and official games.