Former AUS Opener Joe Burns To Represent Italy In T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Joe Burns to Play for Italy [x.com]

Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns has announced he will represent Italy in the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. Burns, who has Italian heritage through his mother, will play for Italy as a tribute to his brother, who died in February this year.

Burns To Honour His Late Brother

Joe Burns revealed the challenges he has had since his brother's death by sharing on Instagram his emotional journey. 

"This year's February saw the tragic death of my brother. His birth year and number on the last squad he played for the formidable Northern Federals in sub-districts were 85. The worst days, weeks, and months I have ever known have passed since my brother's passing. It's a daily struggle that I frequently lose, and I'm not too proud to acknowledge that," he added.

The 34-year-old Burns, who was dropped by Queensland last season and did not receive a contract for the 2024-25 season, will wear the number 85 jersey to honor his brother.

"It gives me great pride to represent Italy in the 2026 World Cup. I feel like I'm heading home, even though the fields of Rome are far from the Gabba, MCG, or our front yard when I was a kid," Burns continued.

 "I frequently consider the courage and dedication it must have required for my grandparents to leave Italy and begin a new life in Australia. They overcame hardship to make things work, and this has always brought me comfort as I've learned the lessons of life."

Burns had played 23 Tests and 6 ODIs for Australia between 2014 and 2020, scoring 1588 runs with four centuries and eight half-centuries. 

He now embarks on this new chapter, aiming to help Italy in the qualifiers from June 9 to 16, where they will face France, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and Turkiye.

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