Former Aussie star named Italy T20I captain
Former Australian cricketer Joe Burns has been named the new T20I captain of Italy, succeeding Gareth Berg. The appointment comes at a crucial juncture as Italy prepares for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final next year. This tournament serves as a pathway to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The 35-year-old Burns, who played 23 Tests and six ODIs for Australia, brings a wealth of experience to the Italian squad. Eligible to represent Italy through his maternal lineage, Burns made his debut for the team earlier this year during the Sub-regional Qualifier A. His performance was pivotal, amassing 211 runs across five innings and helping Italy secure a spot in the regional final.
Speaking about his new leadership role, Burns expressed enthusiasm and determination to guide Italy towards their dream of making a historic first appearance at the T20 World Cup. “It’s an exciting challenge,” he said, highlighting his optimism about the team’s potential.
Italy faces a challenging road ahead in the 2025 regional final, where they will compete against strong teams, including Guernsey, Jersey, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Only the top two teams will advance to the global stage in 2026, making the stakes exceptionally high for the Italian side.
