Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns has been named Italy’s new T20I captain, marking a significant chapter in his cricketing journey.
Burns, who shifted his allegiance to Italy earlier this year, takes over as skipper with aspirations of elevating Italian cricket to new heights.
Born in Brisbane, Burns qualifies to represent Italy through his mother’s heritage. He debuted for the team in June and has already made a strong impact, scoring 211 runs in five T20Is at an impressive average of 70.33 and a strike rate of 144.52.
His standout performance came against Romania, where he smashed an unbeaten 108 off 55 balls to secure victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier Group A.
Joe Burns expressed his pride in taking on the leadership role. “It’s an honor to represent Italy on the international stage and a return to my family’s roots. Italian cricket has enormous potential, and I’m excited to contribute to its growth. Together, we’re working to achieve ambitious goals and make our fans proud,” Burns said.
Fabio Marabini, president of the Italian Cricket Federation, highlighted Joe Burns’ professionalism and leadership qualities.
“From day one, Joe has shown immense generosity and competitive spirit, which he brings to the team. His appointment as captain reflects our ambition to elevate Italian cricket. We are counting on his leadership as we prepare for the next stages of qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup,” Marabini said.
Joe Burns’ success with Italy has also caught the attention of franchise leagues. He was recently signed by the Dubai Capitals for the upcoming ILT20 season in the UAE. Additionally, he has featured in tournaments such as the Vitality Blast and the Big Bash League.
Burns is not the only Italian cricketer making waves. Fast bowler Thomas Draca, Burns’ teammate, was on the long list for the IPL 2025 player auction, reflecting the growing visibility of Italian cricket talent on the global stage.
Burns brings a wealth of experience to the Italian team. During his Test career with Australia (2014-2020), he scored 1,442 runs in 23 matches, including four centuries, at an average of 36.97.
Joe Burns Career Stats:
| Team | Span | Matches (Mat) | Innings (Inns) | Not Out (NO) | Runs | High Score (HS) | Average (Avg) | Balls Faced (BF) | Strike Rate (SR) | 100s | 50s | Ducks (0s) | Fours (4s) | Sixes (6s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2014–2020 | 29 | 46 | 1 | 1588 | 180 | 35.28 | 2741 | 57.93 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 199 | 15 |
| Italy | 2024–2024 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 211 | 108* | 70.33 | 146 | 144.52 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 9 |
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