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The Europe Qualifiers for ICC Men's T20 World Cup concluded on Friday with Italy and the Netherlands securing a spot in the 2026 edition of the marquee tournament. In the final match, which was played between Italy and Netherlands, the former lost the game but their Net Run Rate helped them secure a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, alongside the Netherlands, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka. With this, Italy will make their first-ever appearance in the Cricket World Cup.
As they now shift their focus on the T20 World Cup, they will hope to be led by Joe Burns, a former Australian Test opener and the current captain of the Italy cricket team, who starred in their crucial win in the Qualifiers. Speaking of the right-handed batsman, Burns played a total of 23 Test matches, 6 ODIs for the Australian national team between 2014-2020. During these years, the Australian accumulated 1,442 runs in Test cricket with an average of 36.97. Although with his career best of 180 against Sri Lanka, Burns' form saw a dip, and was eventually rested from the national team.
2024 - Turning point for Joe Burns
But after five years, he was appointed as Italy's cricket team captain and scripted history by helping the team to make a place for the next year T20 World Cup. Earlier in May last year, Burns decided to switch his cricketing allegiance from Australia to Italy. While it wasn’t merely a sporting decision, it had to do in loving memory of his brother Dominic.
Although his passing in February 2024 left a void, his maternal grandparents having roots in Italy, Burns decided to play for the Italian cricket national team, and lead as a captain. Under his captaincy, Italy navigated their way through the sub-regional and regional European qualifiers. Burns set the tone with his performances, highlighted by an unbeaten 108 off just 55 balls against Romania.
Italy’s defining moment arrived when they overcame European heavyweight Scotland to secure a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The triumph etched Italy’s name into the record books as the 25th nation ever to qualify for the prestigious global tournament.
Here is all you need to know about Joe Burns:
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Age: 35 years
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DOB: Sept 6, 1989
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Birthplace: Herston in Brisbane, Queensland
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Role: Batter
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Batting Style: Right-handed Bat
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Bowling Style: Right arm medium, right arm off-break
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Teams: Italy, Australia, Australia A, Brisbane Heat, Dubai Capitals, Glamorgan, Lahore Qalandars, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Melbourne Stars, Middlesex, Queensland, Queensland Under-19s, Queensland Under-23s, Sussex 2nd XI
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Debut:
Test: Australia vs India in Melbourne - December 26-30, 2014
ODI: Ireland vs Australia in Belfast - August 27, 2015
T20I: Italy vs Luxembourg in Spinaceto June 9, 2024
First Class: Queensland vs South Australia in Adelaide - February 21-24, 2011
