Young cricketer dies in hospital after being struck by ball in practice nets

In short:

A 17-year-old cricketer has died in hospital after being struck by a ball in practice nets in Melbourne's east.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club said it was devastated by the death of the boy.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," the club said on social media.

A young cricketer critically injured in an incident in Melbourne's east earlier this week has died in hospital.

The ABC understands the player was facing an automatic bowling machine in the cricket nets and was wearing a helmet when he was struck by a ball.

Ambulance Victoria said it was called to the Walley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully just before 5pm on Tuesday and took the boy to Monash Medical Centre in a critical condition.

The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club issued a statement on Thursday morning saying the teenager had died.

The club said it was "devastated" by the death of the teenager and "the impacts of his death will be felt by all in our cricket community".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," the club said on social media.

The ABC has chosen not to name the boy or publish his photo without permission from his family.

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