Our Journalists

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.

@BenHorne8

Ben Horne

Latest

Women's sport

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Emily Smith of the Hurricanes in action during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes at Invermay Park on November 13, 2019 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Hurricanes under fire as prank backfires to ban

Cricket Australia has imposed a one-year ban on Hobart player Emily Smith for posting the Hurricanes’ WBBL team line-up on Instagram – but the players’ association has shifted the blame on the club.

Women's sport

Ellyse Perry of the Sixers raises her bat on reaching a half century during the WBBL Cricket match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars at the WACA in Perth, Sunday, November 3, 2019. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

Ratings rise could fuel WBBL pay spike

After news of the Matildas’ pay increase, Australia’s female cricketers could be next in line for a wage increase if TV ratings for the WBBL continue on their upward trajectory.

Women's sport

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 17: Ellyse Perry of the Sixers poses during the Women's Big Bash League media opportunity at North Sydney Oval on October 17, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Perry mulls shock Melbourne switch

She’s the biggest star in women’s cricket, but Ellyse Perry could be set to walk out on her beloved Sydney Sixers.

Women's sport

L to R, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes, part of the Womens Australian Cricket team, ready for the final ODI series international at Allan Border Field, Albion, on Tuesday 8th October 2019 - Photo Image Steve Pohlner

Aussie women could reap $2m World T20 bounty

Achieving prizemoney parity with the men for the World T20 is a stunning endorsement for the women’s game, and Ellyse Perry insists the Aussies are not taking the historic advancement lightly.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Tigers and Brett Deledio of the Giants embrace after the 2019 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Story behind emotional Grand Final photo

Brett Deledio was forever cursed not to play in a Grand Final despite his two teams playing off in the decider yesterday. But he made an emotional return to his former club after the siren.

Women's sport

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Alyssa Healy of Australia plays a shot during the 3rd Vitality Women's IT20 match between England and Australia at The County Ground on July 31, 2019 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Healy’s ton of T20 spirit

Australia’s Alyssa Healy is about to bring about a big milestone as her team prepares to take on Sri Lanka in a T20 series.

AFL News

Giants Stephen Coniglio during the GWS Giants open training and fans session ahead of their AFL Grand Final with Richmond this week. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Coniglio makes massive grand final call

Stephen Coniglio’s hopes of playing in Saturday’s AFL decider are over, but the Giants star is confident his absence won’t affect the belief in the GWS camp.

AFL News

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Coach Leon Cameron of the Giants celebrates victory with Toby Greene after the AFL Semi Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at The Gabba on September 14, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Could Cameron be on verge of new deal?

GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron has answered his critics with a couple of masterclass performances to help lead his side to the preliminary final.

AFL News

Stephen Coniglio of the GWS Giants during a training session in Sydney, Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The GWS Giants are set to play the Brisbane Lions in an AFL Finals match at the Gabba on Saturday. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

‘Amazing’ Coniglio eyes miracle MCG return

Before the Giants’ memorable win over Brisbane Toby Greene’s phone lit up. It was Stephen Coniglio with a message. Now, Greene has one for his star teammate: ‘Start strapping your boots’

AFL News

Former Australian Test cricketer Gavin Robertson and long-time GWS employee with the Giants. Credit: Giants Digital

How Robertson is inspiring Giants

He’s watched the baby Giants grow and now, as they flourish, he’s faced with the biggest fight of his life. But Gavin Robertson is a key part of GWS finals push — just ask Phil Davis.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/ben-horne/page/57