The Sporting Hack

  “Not mature enough” or “too reckless” or “talented, but…” were all ways in which people could have described Ben Stokes’ ascension to England test skipper four years ago. There were some valid points. As a player he had the golden arm and showed incredible heart which supporters of all teams came to love and respect. As a person, he had some growing up to do off the pitch after well publicised alcohol-fuelled incidents. And now, parallels must be drawn with Harry Brook and how the vice-captain of this currently skipper-less side has been written off as the heir to Stokes’ title before he’s even been given the job. Off the pitch, he had an altercation with a New Zealand doorman in October 2025 in echoes of Stokes’ notorious Bristol transgression in 2017 when the Durham all-rounder was of a similar age. And on the pitch, well, where to start? The Yorkshire batter has a superb test average of more than 53 runs per innings and can do things with the willow in his hands which mere ...

It could well be a case of back to the drawing board for the Cricket Australia selectors ahead of next month's eagerly anticipated Ashes series. Finding a suitable top order to take on the English in Perth in five weeks is arguably of greater concern than the ongoing injury woe surrounding skipper Pat Cummins. Those waiting by their phones in anticipation of squad selection are now midway through their four-match domestic audition. The chance seems to have all but passed by opener Sam Konstas ( above ).  The 20-year-old burst on to the test scene less than a year ago in dazzling fashion during the home series against India. With time away from the international arena to work on his game, his technique has been scrutinised by onlookers and exploited by a stream of opening bowlers. The latest of which, Australian teammate Scott Boland, did so inside four scoreless balls before the youngster partially redeemed himself with a far-from-fluent 53 in his second dig. The prospect o...