Joe Burns, the former Australian batter, has been named the new captain of Italy’s national cricket team. Burns, who shifted his allegiance to Italy in May this year, made his debut for the team in June, thanks to his eligibility through his mother’s Italian heritage.
"I am honoured to take on this role and represent Italy on the international stage," Burns said in a statement. "For me, it is a return to my family's roots. Italian cricket has enormous potential, and I am excited to contribute to its growth. Together with my team-mates, we are working to achieve ambitious goals and make our fans proud."
Fabio Marabini, president of the Italian Cricket Federation, praised Burns’ professionalism and dedication since joining the team.
"Since day one, Joe has shown great generosity and professionalism, putting his experience and competitive spirit at the disposal of the team," he said. "His choice as captain reflects our ambition to take Italian cricket to new levels. We are also counting on his leadership to play a leading role in the next qualifying stages for the 2026 T20 World Cup."
Burns has made a strong impact in his five T20Is for Italy, scoring 211 runs at an impressive average of 70.33 and a strike rate of 144.52. His standout performance came in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group A, where he smashed an unbeaten 108 off 55 balls to guide Italy to a win against Romania.
The former Australian Test opener, who scored 1,442 runs in 23 matches with four centuries between 2014 and 2020, is also making waves in franchise cricket. He has been signed by the Dubai Capitals for the UAE’s ILT20 league and has previously participated in tournaments like the Vitality Blast and the Big Bash League.
Italian cricket is also gaining recognition on the global stage, with fast bowler Thomas Draca earning a spot on the long list for the 2025 IPL player auction, though he ultimately did not make the final cut. With Burns at the helm, Italy is poised for an exciting new chapter in its cricketing journey.