Joe Burns, the former Australia Test opener, has been replaced as captain of Italy and left out of the country’s plans for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next February. The decision brings a heartbreaking turn to what had been one of the most emotional and inspiring chapters of Burns’ late career.
Burns played 23 Tests for Australia before switching allegiance to Italy through his mother’s heritage. His move came after the devastating loss of his brother at the start of 2024, with cricket becoming a source of healing during an intensely personal period. He was appointed Italy captain later that year and became the central figure in their remarkable rise on the international stage.
Joe Burns’ Role in Italy’s Historic World Cup Qualification
Under Burns’ leadership, Italy enjoyed unprecedented success during the last 18 months. The highlight came in July, when Italy defeated Guernsey and Scotland at The Hague during Europe’s regional qualifier, sealing their first-ever qualification for a men’s T20 World Cup.
Burns led from the front both as a captain and a batter. In eight T20 internationals for Italy, he scored a century and a half-century, averaging 45 with a strike rate close to 140. He also wore the number 85 jersey as a tribute to his late brother, making his performances even more emotionally resonant.
Italy’s head of performance, Marco Mastrorocco, praised Burns’ influence, describing him as a professional of the highest integrity who had a massive impact on Italian cricket. Mastrorocco also expressed shock at the decision to exclude him, confirming that Burns had communicated his availability and acceptance of the board’s terms.
Wayne Madsen Appointed Captain as Burns Misses Out
Despite Burns’ contributions, the Italian Cricket Federation (FCRI) announced veteran Derbyshire batter Wayne Madsen as Italy’s new captain for the upcoming series against Ireland and the T20 World Cup itself. Madsen had already been named captain in a press release at the end of November, when Italy held a training camp in the UAE — a camp Burns did not attend.
The FCRI cited availability and contractual issues as the official reason behind Burns’ omission, stating that a formal contract had never been signed. However, the board also hinted at deeper internal concerns, saying the decision was made to ensure “stability, harmony, and continuity for the team,” which it deemed more important than short-term goals.
Burns is understood to have been aware of the possibility of his exclusion for several months. He reportedly maintained that he had accepted the federation’s terms and was willing and ready to play. Mastrorocco confirmed he had been part of communications in which Burns clearly agreed to the deal, acting as a translator during discussions with the FCRI.
The Italian Cricket Federation has said it will not comment further on the matter, though it publicly thanked Burns for his service. The board acknowledged that his contributions represent an important chapter in the ongoing development of Italy’s national team, even as his unexpected exit leaves a sour note ahead of their historic World Cup debut.
