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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

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 28: Sam Konstas of the Blues (L) poses for a photo with Shane Watson ahead of his debut during the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania at SCG, on November 28, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Watson: Why Konstas is ready for cricket’s hottest cauldron

Shane Watson has mentored Sam Konstas for years on the batting prodigy’s rise to Test cricket. Now, the former Aussie all-rounder says now is the perfect time for the teenager to debut.

Cricket

Australia's Kurtis Patterson celebrates his first hundred for Australia during Day 2 of the second Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Manuka oval, Canberra. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Don’t forget me: KP’s road back from cricket’s rock bottom

Kurtis Patterson knows how Nathan McSweeney must be feeling. The forgotten man of Australian cricket is quietly forging his way back to the top from rock bottom, writes BEN HORNE.

Cricket

Meet Sam Konstas, teen from the ‘burbs destined for Test debut

Sam Konstas is a seemingly overnight cricket sensation, but the teen has been building to this moment long before the eyes of a nation turned to him ahead of a looming Boxing Day baptism of fire.

Cricket

Why McSweeney paid the price for struggling Aussie top order

Nathan McSweeney has been axed just three matches into his Test career, paving the way for Sam Konstas to debut in the Boxing Day Test. SEE THE FULL SQUAD HERE

Cricket

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 09: Sam Konstas of the Blues fields during the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Western Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, on December 09, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Analysis: Australian selectors should be applauded for brave call

The stunning decision to drop Nathan McSweeney for 19-year-old wunderkind Sam Konstas for a Test with so much riding on it proves Australian selectors are ruthless in their pursuit of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, writes BEN HORNE.

NRL

Panthers star Lindsay Smith having a hit with the Sydney Thunder. Credit: Supplied.

WATCH: Panthers star shocks Thunder with batting skills

Lindsay Smith gave up cricket as a teenager to focus on rugby league, but the Penrith star got to show off his skills with bat and ball, as the Panthers signed a historic deal with the Sydney Thunder.

Cricket

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 14: (L-R) Nathan Lyon and Nathan McSweeney Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja of Australia line up for national anthems prior to day one of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 14, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Player ratings: Serious questions hang over six Aussie stars

Travis Head and Steve Smith saved Australia with the bat – but huge question marks surround the form, and performance, of half a dozen stars. Every player rated from the Gabba washout.

Cricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: Scott Boland of Australia (C) leans on team mate Josh Hazlewood as they watch the big screen during a review for the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of England which is given not out during Day Four of the LV= Insurance Ashes 1st Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 19, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Australia face tough questions over ‘massive’ selection risk

Picking Josh Hazlewood over the ultra-reliable Scott Boland was always a huge gamble. BEN HORNE asks whether it’s time Australia puts more trust in their second-string bowlers.

Sport

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: Alex Carey of Australia walks out of the player tunnel after the lunch break during day three of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 16, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

How Carey has come full circle in Border’s eyes

In late 2020, Allan Border turned the blowtorch on Alex Carey for his performance in the field. Four years on, the Godfather of Australian cricket had kinder words for Australia’s gloveman.

Cricket

Travis Head and Steve Smith combined beautifully for Australia on Sunday. Picture: Getty

Gabba heroes’ looming captaincy battle amid Cummins uncertainty

Brothers in arms at the crease on Sunday, Travis Head and Steve Smith could soon be going head-to-head for the right to take the reins of the Australian Test team.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/ben-horne/page/6