Why are India, Australia players wearing black armbands during Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal?
India and Australia players are wearing black armbands during their Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal on Thursday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
This gesture comes as a tribute to a 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin who tragically passed away after being struck by a ball during training.
Austin was reportedly facing an automatic bowling machine in the nets with a helmet on before a Twenty20 game in Melbourne on Tuesday when he was hit in the head and neck area.
He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and died Wednesday.
“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community,” the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said in a statement.
Austin was an emerging bowler and batter, considered by his club as a “star cricketer, great leader and an awesome young man”.
India and Australia are vying for a spot in the final to face South Africa.
Published on Oct 30, 2025
