Joe Burns, a former Test hitter for Australia, has announced that he will play for Italy in the qualifiers leading up to the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Burns has chosen to pay tribute to his brother, who departed from this life in February of this year.
From 2014 to 2020, Burns played for Australia in 23 Test matches and six One-Day Internationals. In those matches, he scored 1588 runs, including four hundred and eight half-centuries.
“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, 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 on sub-districts,” Joe Burns wrote.
“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. While a part of my soul feels like it will always be missing, I know this shirt will carry on his spirit and give me strength. It’s the hours playing as kids and connection with him that taught me to love this game” Joe Burns added.
Joe Burns To Represent Italy in the T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifiers:
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Former Australian Test bat Joe Burns is eligible to play for Italy due to his mother’s side of the family. He will participate in the subregional qualifications to advance to the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026. Italy’s first group of matches, which will take place in Rome from June 9–16, includes France, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and Turkey.
Burns was having a difficult season overall for batters, averaging 37.16 in the Sheffield Shield when he was dropped by Queensland. His Melbourne Stars contract has now expired, leaving him without a professional contract in Australia.
He averaged 36.97 and scored four hundred in 23 Test matches. He played his final match against India in late 2020.
