Thousands of people attended a cricket match in Melbourne on Sunday held in honour of schoolboy Luke Batty, who was killed by his father in front of horrified onlookers last month.

The 11-year-old was bashed to death after a cricket training session at the Tyabb Cricket Oval in the city’s south-east.

His 54-year-old father Greg was shot by police at the scene and died in hospital the following morning.

The match on Sunday was also used as a fundraiser to re-build the oval’s cricket nets.

The old nets were torn down following Luke’s death because they were a reminder of the incident.

Luke’s mother, Rosie Batty, said it was nice to hold a positive event at the ground.

“I think to see it in a really happy way rather than the sombre way that it was before. I think this showcases what a small local club is all about,” she said.

She said the match would help his friends’ healing process.

“The timing of this event is really important for his classmates, his team mates, people who have been really saddened,” she said.

“This is a healing opportunity to bond.”