Fri Dec 06 10:52:28 UTC 2024: ## Aussie Veteran Joe Burns Named Italy Cricket Captain

**ROME** – Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns has been appointed captain of the Italian national cricket team. Burns, who switched allegiances in May, made his debut for Italy in June and has quickly impressed, leading to his elevation to captaincy.

The Italian Cricket Federation (ICF) announced the appointment, praising Burns’s experience and professionalism. President Fabio Marabini highlighted Burns’s immediate impact on the team and expressed confidence in his ability to lead Italy to new heights, particularly in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. Marabini stated that Burns’s appointment reflects the ICF’s ambition to elevate Italian cricket.

Burns himself expressed his honor at leading the team, citing a connection to his family roots. He is optimistic about the potential for growth within Italian cricket and is committed to making the nation proud. His recent performances have been strong, with 211 runs in five T20Is at an average of 70.33 and a strike rate of 144.52. A standout performance included a 108-run innings against Romania in the T20 World Sub Regional Qualifier for Europe.

Burns’s appointment comes after a successful start to his Italian career and as he prepares to play in the upcoming ILT20 for the Dubai Capitals. His extensive experience in the Big Bash League and Vitality Blast will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the Italian team. While his Australian Test career spanned 23 matches with four centuries, he’ll now focus on leading Italy’s ascent in the international cricket arena. The news also comes as another Italian player, Thomas Draca, attempted to enter the Indian Premier League auction, though unsuccessfully.

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