3 hours ago
2
A disappointed father has called for 'respect' in the community after a cricket bat was stolen from outside his home in Victoria.
The man had placed the orange bat at the front of his Geelong property as part of a tribute to teenage cricketer Ben Austin.
The 17-year-old was struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a training session in Melbourne's east on October 28 - and tragically died two days later.
Following the youngster's death, countless residents across the nation placed cricket bats outside their homes as part of a 'Bats Out for Ben' tribute.
It was a gesture of respect for Ben and his grieving family.
Inexplicably, on October 31 just before 6.30pm, CCTV footage from a Geelong home, south-west of Melbourne, captured three boys approaching a house.
A disappointed father has called for 'respect' in the community after a cricket bat was stolen from outside his home in suburban Geelong (pictured, right)
The man had placed the orange bat at the front of his property as part of a tribute to teenage cricketer Ben Austin (pictured), who died last month after he was struck in the neck at a training session
The teenagers later reportedly dumped the orange bat (pictured) at a nearby nature strip, with their callous behaviour causing outrage in the Geelong community
One ran to the door and brazenly grabbed the bat, before fleeing the scene on foot.
The homeowner later shared the footage on Facebook, with an accompanying message.
'When you leave your son's cricket bat out the front to show respect for a young teenager who tragically passed away – and then it gets stolen.
'If you know these kids, please have a word with them about respect. Some lessons are more important than possessions.'
The post sparked outrage on social media, with the Geelong Advertiser reporting the orange bat was later dumped at a nearby nature strip.
It comes as Austin's father Jace stressed his son's death was a 'freak accident.'
'This is a great game, cricket, it wasn't the game's fault,' he said.
'Please make sure you keep playing, that's what Ben would want.'
At the recent T20 match between Australia and India at the MCG, a moment’s silence was observed pre-game for Ben, with players from both teams and officials wearing black armbands.
