The Joe Burns Italy cricket story took a dramatic turn as the Italian Cricket Federation announced the former Australian Test opener will miss their maiden T20 World Cup. Despite leading Italy to a historic qualification in July, Burns faces omission from the tournament squad due to contractual disagreements between both parties.
Moreover, the federation confirmed that South African-born Wayne Madsen will replace Burns as captain. The tournament begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, marking Italy’s debut at a global event.
Why Burns Was Dropped?
The Italian Cricket Federation released an official statement explaining their decision:
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract issues | No final agreement reached despite preliminary talks |
| Missing formal contract | The two parties never signed official documents |
| Team stability concerns | Federation prioritized harmony and continuity |
| Leadership change | Wayne Madsen identified as most suitable captain |
“Although preliminary exchanges of availability took place in recent weeks, a full agreement was never reached and, consequently, a formal contract was not signed,” the federation stated. Furthermore, they emphasized that internal technical and organizational evaluations led to Madsen’s selection.
Burns’ Impact on Italian Cricket
The 36-year-old Burns played a pivotal role in Italy’s historic World Cup qualification. He participated in both sub-regional and regional European T20 World Cup Qualifiers during the 2026 cycle. Additionally, he captained the side through their qualifying journey.
Burns’ Key Achievements:
- Featured in 8 T20Is for Italy
- Scored an unbeaten century against Romania in European qualifier Group A final
- Led victories over Guernsey and Scotland in Europe Regional Final
- Helped Italy finish second behind Netherlands to secure World Cup spot
- Participated in Challenge League cricket for Italy’s 50-over team
His performances demonstrated exceptional leadership and batting prowess. Nevertheless, contractual complications ended his Italian cricket journey prematurely.
Burns’ Australian Career Background
Burns represented Australia between 2014 and 2020, making his Test debut against India on Boxing Day 2014. He accumulated 1,442 runs across 23 Test appearances for Australia. Subsequently, he also played for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and Queensland domestically.
In May 2024, Burns announced his move to Italy as a tribute to his late brother Dominic, who died three months earlier. He honored his brother by wearing playing number 85 on his shirt.
Wayne Madsen Takes Charge
Madsen, a Derbyshire veteran, holds an Italian passport through his grandmother. He made his debut for Italy in 2023 but missed last year’s qualifier games due to County duty commitments.
The federation praised his credentials: “Madsen brings significant international and domestic experience to the position, having already represented Italy in T20Is, and remains a central figure within the squad’s leadership group.”
Consequently, Madsen will lead Italy in their January bilateral series against Ireland before the World Cup begins.
Italy’s World Cup Schedule
Italy faces challenging fixtures in Group C:
Tournament Schedule:
- February 9: Italy vs Bangladesh (Kolkata)
- Group opponents: England, West Indies, Nepal
- First-ever appearance at cricket global tournament
The federation thanked Burns for his service: “The Federation wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Joe Burns for his service to Italian cricket, both as a player and as captain.”
In conclusion, the Joe Burns Italy cricket chapter closes unexpectedly as Italy prepares for their historic World Cup debut under new leadership, leaving fans wondering what might have been with their qualifying hero.
