Joe Burns, a former Australian test opener with four hundred years in his name, found a second cricket life in Blue Italy – one filled with heart, heritage and history. With the pride of the leadership of Italy to their very first qualifications for the ICC Men’s T20, the World Cup described success as one of the most emotional and most important moments of his cricket path.
Now 35, Burns played 23 tests for Australia in 2014 and 2020. Last year he qualified to represent Italy through his grandparents, accepted his roots and joined the leading role that few expected, but many of them now admire. Burns, appointed by the Italian party captain, led the team of emotional and strategic campaign to qualify for the T20 ICC World Championship in India and Sri Lance ICC – – Sri Lanka – – Italian ever appearance For the global ICC events for the elderly.
“It will not get lost, about the size of the impact we can have on the Italian cricket. Wearing the Italian cap at the World Championship would make us a pioneering team. And we think we have a team to get there,” Burns said BBC Sport.
Burns describes the way as “unreal”, but the results were something other than accidental. Italy entered the European Regional Final in The Hague along Scotland, the Netherlands, Jersey and Guernsey – all chasing only two qualification points. Italy impressed all over the world, dominated key matches, and showed tactical consciousness far beyond what many expected from the associated side.
“We have done one week of training in Rome, one week in the UK, and I told them the first day in Rome:” I don’t care if we play Luxembourg in the first subregional game or India in the World Cup final-I want us to be the most ready team in the world cricket. “That’s something we can control, something that does not require any skill,” Burns said.
Italy’s campaign included a self -confident victory over Guernsey and the key clinical defense of 167 against the popular tournaments Scotland – performances that all their qualifications closed. Although they lost their last game to the Netherlands, Italy has already done mathematics. Even a narrow defeat would be enough to see them. Burns, who fully realized the betting, ensured that his team focused on meeting the requirement of clean running.
“We started trying to win, but if it didn’t plan, we moved. It happened to reduce damage. Spinners, Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Mangeenti, they really brought a game for us,” he explained.
For Burns, this campaign was much more than cricket. His shirt number, 85, is a tribute to his late brother Dominic. His decision to represent Italy is rooted in family history – his grandparents were Italian and his nonna was a key figure in his early life.
“I grew up with Italian traditions and this opportunity helped me to connect with my legacy. My nonna watched me playing for Australia and always asking why I hit the ball in the air! I know it would be proud now,” he shared.
The wider impact is what controls it.
“We are trying to create an inheritance. This is more than one tournament – it is what an Italian cricket can happen in the future,” Burns said.
With more than 100 clubs and 3,500 registered players grow cricket in Italy. Burns hopes that this World Cup qualification will act as a catalyst for larger support, improved infrastructure and widespread opportunities.
When Italy prepares for greeting cricket giants of India and Sri Lanka next year, their captain has a clear message: they are no longer outsiders. They are here to compete – and build something that lasts.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
22 July 2025
