India, Australia Honor Fallen Cricketer with Black Armbands

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final between traditional rivals India and Australia commenced with a touching tribute to a young life lost. Players from both nations wore black armbands on Thursday at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, to commemorate the passing of Ben Austin. The 17-year-old Australian talent tragically died after a freak accident during a net practice session where he sustained a severe neck injury. His untimely demise sent shockwaves through the cricket world, prompting a unified response from the players on the field. This act of remembrance underscored the deep camaraderie that exists within the sport. Regarding the match, Australia won the toss and decided to bat. Notably, Alyssa Healy was back in action for Australia, while India had to make a change, with Shafali Verma replacing the injured Pratika Rawal. The presence of the armbands added a layer of emotional significance to the already intense semi-final encounter.