Heartbroken loved ones are uniting in grief to remember a "popular and much loved" teenage cricketer who died in a training accident.

Ben Austin was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being struck in the neck by a ball at training at Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne's outer east, on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old was facing balls in the nets ahead of a T20 match when the injury occurred in front of his teammates.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club confirmed the death of the beloved player on Thursday.

"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 club said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family - Jace, Tracey, Cooper and Zach, his extended family, his friends and to all of th

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