In a surprising turn of events, Joe Burns, the former Australian Test batter who was instrumental in Italy's historic qualification for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, will not feature in the marquee tournament itself. The Italian Cricket Federation (Federazione Cricket Italiana - FCRI) has left him out of the squad for the 2026 event, citing unresolved contractual issues.
Contract Dispute Ends World Cup Dream
The federation confirmed the development in an official statement, revealing that no final agreement could be reached with Burns regarding his contract. This breakdown in negotiations has directly led to his exclusion from the squad that will compete in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7, 2026. The FCRI did not provide specific details about the nature of the contractual problems.
"Although preliminary contacts regarding his (Burns) availability have been made in recent weeks, no final agreement has been reached and, as a result, no contract has been formalised," the federation stated. The decision, they added, was made to ensure stability, harmony, and continuity for the team, prioritizing these elements over short-term objectives.
A Captain's Stellar Contribution
Burns's omission marks a stark contrast to his monumental role in Italian cricket's fairy tale. The 35-year-old, who played 23 Tests and 6 ODIs for Australia between 2014 and 2020, switched allegiance to Italy, the nation of his maternal heritage.
As captain, he led the team during the European qualifiers in July 2025, where they secured their maiden T20 World Cup spot in dramatic fashion. In the crucial final day of qualifying, Italy defended a target of 135 against the Netherlands, ensuring the Dutch did not chase it down within 14 overs. The Netherlands eventually reached the target in 16.2 overs, but the slow chase was enough for Italy to pip other contenders like Jersey and seal their historic berth.
With the bat, Burns was phenomenal for Italy. In eight T20 Internationals, he scored one century and one half-century, amassing an impressive average of 45 at a strike rate of nearly 140. His leadership and explosive batting were central to Italy's dream qualification.
Madsen to Lead, Burns Gets a Final Series
The FCRI has named experienced English county cricketer Wayne Madsen as the new captain for the T20 World Cup, identifying him as the most suitable choice following internal assessments.
In a conciliatory note, the federation announced that Joe Burns will still captain Italy in their upcoming tour against Ireland before the World Cup. This series will serve as his final assignment for the national team he helped put on the global cricket map.
Italy's journey in T20Is is still nascent, having played their first official match only in 2019 against Germany. The qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, masterminded by Burns, was their greatest achievement. However, the team will now have to chase that dream on the world stage without their inspirational leader, as contractual complexities have written an unexpected and disappointing final chapter to his Italian saga.
