Overview:
Players, match officials and representatives of Austin's clubs, along with state and national cricket administrators, observed a moment of silence before play, while his image was broadcast on stadium screens and his favorite song played in tribute.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss Friday and opted to field first against India in a Twenty20 international that was preceded by a tribute to a teenage cricketer who died in a training accident in Melbourne earlier this week.
Both teams were wearing black armbands in memory of 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin, who died in a Melbourne hospital two days after being struck in the neck during a net session at his suburban club.
The first game in the five-match series was washed out in Canberra on Wednesday. The second match has attracted a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia made one lineup change, with Matt Short replacing Josh Philippe, while India was unchanged from the first game.
Players, match officials and representatives of Austin’s clubs, along with state and national cricket administrators, observed a moment of silence before play, while his image was broadcast on stadium screens and his favourite song played in tribute.
Also, ahead of the Sheffield Shield domestic first-class match between Victoria state and Tasmania at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Friday, players held a moment of silence in honor of the promising cricketer and also wore black armbands.