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Ben HorneChief Cricket Writer

Ben Horne is Chief Cricket Writer for News Corp and CODE Sports and for the past decade has been covering cricket’s biggest series and stories. As the national sport, cricket has a special relationship with Australians who feel a sense of ownership over the Test team. From selection shocks to scandals, upset losses to triumphant victories, Ben tells the stories that matter in Australian cricket.

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Ben Horne

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Cricket

Australia players celebrate winning the under-19 World Cup youth one-day international (YODI) final between India and Australia at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on February 11, 2024. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

World Cup win a glimpse at the next generation of Aussie stars

Australia has lifted yet another major cricket trophy, securing the Under 19s World Cup. BEN HORNE tracks the progress and prospects of the teenagers who knocked over India.

Cricket

KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 02: Sam Konstas of Australia raises his bat and helmet as he celebrates after reaching his century during the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup South Africa 2024 Super Six match between West Indies and Australia at Diamond Oval on February 02, 2024 in Kimberley, South Africa. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Aussie cricket prodigy dubbed ‘new Michael Clarke’

Ahead of the under 19s World Cup final against India, one of Australia’s opening batsmen has been praised for his old fashioned mentality with comparisons being drawn to a former Aussie captain.

Cricket

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 06: Xavier Bartlett of Australia looks on prior to game three of the Men's One Day International match between Australia and West Indies at Manuka Oval on February 06, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Generation Next: Fast-bowling sensation firms for Test call

Australia boasts the most feared bowling attack on the planet – but with a trio of paceman all in their 30s, it’s time to start thinking about Generation Next, writes Ben Horne.

Opinion

The greed Bears must avoid to stop another false dawn

A letter from Bears halfback Mark Soden in 1993 was enough to cement BEN HORNE’S love for the club forever. But the diehard supporter warns the club they risk blowing their NRL return with dangerous rhetoric.

Cricket

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 04: Jake Fraser-McGurk of Australia bats during game two of the Men's One Day International series between Australia and West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground on February 04, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Fraser-McGurk’s five-ball blitzkrieg a tantalising glimpse of the future

Four balls into his debut, he was looking like the next David Warner. By the fifth ball, he was walking off the park. But those five balls left no-one watching with any doubt, BEN HORNE writes: Jake Fraser-McGurk is a special talent.

Cricket

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates the wicket of Sajid Khan of Pakistan during day three of the Men's Third Test Match in the series between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Time to stop pretending iconic New Year’s Test is leaving Sydney

Of all the threats that fly around in Australian sport, the off-chance Sydney could lose its iconic New Year’s Test remains one of the silliest and emptiest, writes BEN HORNE.

Cricket

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: Pat Cummins of Australia congratulates Nathan Lyon of Australia during day four of the Men's First Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Perth, Australia (Photo by James Worsfold - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Unapologetic Aussie bowlers going nowhere despite succession talk

Australia has a swath of Test ready bowlers itching for a chance – a chance they may never get as ageing quartet Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon and Cummins have no plans to hand it over.

Cricket

Who will take out this year's Allan Border medal?

Shock favourite emerges for cricket’s biggest award

It was shaping as one of the most open Allan Border Medal races in recent memory – but one clear favourite has emerged from a massive year for Australian cricket.

Cricket

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 12: Chris Green of the Thunder leads the Thunder onto the field during the BBL match between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval, on December 12, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Ponting pours cold water on BBL expansion hopes

Cricket ACT is pushing hard for their own BBL team, but if it means expansion, Ricky Ponting isn’t keen. He tells BEN HORNE the talent pool is already stretched as it is.

Cricket

Border: The shock, fear and reality of living with Parkinson’s

Australian cricket legend Allan Border has opened up on living with Parkinson’s disease and how his life has changed since the diagnosis.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/ben-horne/page/30