Italian cricketer wants to play in the World Cup as an Australian star

Italian cricketer wants to play in the World Cup as an Australian star

Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns once played a total of 23 Tests and six One Day Internationals for Australia from 2014 to 2020.

He holds four centuries in Tests. After finishing his career playing cricket for Australia, at the age of 34, he is looking to start a new chapter in his career.

Burns, an Australian player, is now an Italian cricketer. In pursuit of playing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Burns is getting ready for the qualification matches for Italy.

The Sub-Regional Qualifiers will be held in Rome from June 9 to June 16. Burns will play for Italy in those qualifiers. Born and raised in Brisbane, Burns is now eligible to play for Italy through his mother's heritage.

Burns came to Australia from Italy at a young age. When he played for the Australian team, Burns wore jersey number 15. In honor of his late older brother Dominic, who passed away last February, Burns has chosen to wear jersey number 85 to pay tribute.

Dominic used to wear jersey number 85 in local cricket, aligning it with his birth year. Playing with the same jersey number, Burns is now getting ready to represent Italy.

Sharing a picture of the jersey on Instagram on Tuesday, Burns wrote, "It's not just a number or a jersey. It’s for that man I know is looking down on me from above. My heart will always miss him. I have learned to love this game from his childhood. A part of my heart will always feel his absence. I know this jersey will instill his spirit and give me strength."

Though cricket is not popular in the football-loving country of Italy, Burns dreams of taking the country to the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said, "Even though the cricket fields from MCG to the grounds of Rome might seem far apart, I feel like I have come back home. Representing Italy in the 2026 World Cup battle gives me immense pride."