Joe Burns, formerly an Australian Test opener, has made a significant mark in the T20 World Cup qualifiers for Italy by hitting a rapid century in Rome. This milestone is part of his transition from Australian cricket, where he accumulated four centuries across 23 Test matches, to representing Italy.
Burns’s switch comes after he was not offered a contract by Queensland for the 2024-25 season and his tenure with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League concluded.
The catalyst for Burns’s decision to play for Italy was the death of his brother Dominic in February. Leveraging his eligibility through his mother’s Italian heritage, Burns chose to honour his family’s legacy by wearing the Italian jersey. His jersey number, 85, is a tribute to Dominic, reflecting the number his brother wore in his last team, the Northern Federals, and his birth year.
Maiden T20I ton for Joe Burns in his first tournament for the Azzurri. Italy have half a foot in the European Finals.#ITAvROM pic.twitter.com/BtiLHJNqZx
— Bertus de Jong (@BdJcricket) June 16, 2024
Burns expressed his motivations and emotions in an Instagram post, stating, “This isn’t just a number and this isn’t just a jersey. This is for the people who I know will be looking down proudly from above.” He further elaborated on his brother’s influence, saying, “In February of this year my brother sadly passed away. 85 was his number in the last team he played (and his birth year) for the mighty Northern Federals in subdistricts.”
Burns described the period following his brother’s death as the most challenging of his life. “The days, weeks and months since my brother’s death have been the toughest I could ever imagine. I’m not too proud to admit that it’s been a daily battle that I often lose,” he shared, highlighting the personal struggles that accompanied his decision to play for Italy.
Burns’s Spectacular 108* Guides Italy to a Resounding 160-Run Victory Over Romania
In his fifth match for Italy, facing Romania in the final subregional qualifier in Rome, Burns dominated on a synthetic pitch, scoring an unbeaten 108 off 55 balls, featuring 12 fours and four sixes. This performance propelled Italy to a decisive 160-run victory. Burns’s contribution has been instrumental in Italy’s undefeated streak through five qualifiers, advancing them to the next stage of the competition in Germany.
Burns’s debut for Italy also saw him score 58 runs, underscoring his immediate impact on the team. His commitment to honouring his brother and family heritage through his cricketing career has added a poignant depth to his international shift, making his achievements on the field even more significant.
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