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

Cricket

Fresh catch controversy rocks SCG, Khawaja denied in ugly finish

Social media clips have highlighted that KL Rahul’s catch to get rid of Khawaja off the bowling of a fired-up Jasprit Bumrah appears questionable on closer examination.

Cricket

Australiaâs Beau Webster (C) celebrates his successful catch to Indiaâs Yashasvi Jaiswal with teammates during day one of the fifth Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Heartwarming reason behind Test debutant’s eye-catching earring

Test debutant Beau Webster stood out with an assured start to his Test career for Australia at the SCG but for some, a shiny earring on his left ear caught the eye even more.

Cricket

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Rishabh Pant of India looks dejected while leaving the field after being dismissed by Scott Boland of Australia during day one of the Fifth Men's Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Caged livewire hurts India again with another costly brain snap

Rishabh Pant got hit 11 times in a brutal examination by Australia’s bowlers, but the pain was nothing compared to the agony awaiting in the India dressing room after another brain snap.

PollCricket

Indiaâs Virat Kohli (R) reacts as Australiaâs Mitchell Starc (L) and Travis Head walk nearby after the third umpire decision regarding a catch by Australiaâs Steve Smith gave him not out during day one of the fifth cricket Test match between Australia and India at The SCG in Sydney on January 3, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

SCG controversy exposes deeper issue plaguing cricket

An eye-rolling howler from an umpire with a long history of them or simply the right call? BEN HORNE and ROBERT CRADDOCK debate the greatest catch that never was.

Cricket

Steve Smith on the dressing room balcony ahead of the 2025 Sydney Pink Test match between Australia and India at the SCG where Smith is just 38 runs short of 10,000 Test runs. January 2, 2025. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - Â©Phil Hillyard )

Smith 10,000: A father’s insight into a batting genius

Many questioned whether Steve Smith would reach the same glittering batting heights following Sandpapergate. His father, Peter, reveals the secret to one of the more underrated sporting comeback stories.

Cricket

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Steve Smith of Australia looks on during day three of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Smith set for crowning captaincy jewel in historic Test summer

As Steve Smith prepares to enter the pantheon of Test match batting’s most elite club, the former captain is set to be handed the keys to the team.

Cricket

SCG curator: I watched nine-year-old Konstas bat ‘every day’

SCG curator Adam Lewis has vivid memories of Sam Konstas hitting balls everyday at the oval they both worked at – Lewis as groundsman and Konstas as the nine-year-old batting machine with a baggy green dream.

Cricket

Poor form catches up with Marsh in huge fifth Test selection call

Mitch Marsh has been dropped from the Australian XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Sydney on Friday with his poor batting and lack of bowling a factor in the call.

ExclusiveCricket

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 30: Sam Konstas of Australia gestures to the crowd during day five of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 30, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Konstas given licence to thrill in SCG showdown

After producing one of the most extraordinary Test debuts of all time, Sam Konstas won’t be toning down his audacious approach at the crease after being handed the keys to entertain by his captain.

Cricket

Australia warned: Don’t gamble on SCG history

Australia’s SCG security blanket has been ripped off them ahead of the fifth Test, with the ground’s curator predicting the wicket will produce a winner in the Border Gavaskar Trophy decider.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/ben-horne/page/8