Joe Burns Appointed Captain of Italy’s Cricket Team

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: December 5, 2024
Last updated: February 12, 2025

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Joe Burns, a notable former Australian Test opener, has embarked on a new chapter in his cricket career by being named the captain of Italy’s national cricket team. Burns, aged 35, originally from Brisbane, brings a wealth of experience from his previous cricket engagements, having represented Australia in 23 Test matches.

Burns’ transition from the Australian cricket scene to leading Italy’s cricket team marks a significant shift. His eligibility to play for Italy comes through his maternal heritage. This move signifies a fresh beginning for Burns, who made his international debut for Italy in June 2024. Since then, he has contributed significantly to the team, including a remarkable performance with an unbeaten 108 off 55 balls against Romania in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier Group A.

Burns’ cricket journey began with Australia, where he established himself as a competent opener. Over his career with the Australian team, he scored 1,442 runs in 40 Test innings, maintaining an average of 36.97 from December 2014 to January 2021. Post his career with Australia, Burns continued to make his mark internationally with Italy. In five T20 Internationals, he amassed 211 runs with an impressive average of 70.33 and a striking rate of 144.52.

Beyond international cricket, Burns is known for his domestic cricket achievements. He has played in the Vitality Blast, Big Bash League, and for Queensland in domestic competitions. His domestic debut was marked by a 140-run performance in the Sheffield Shield against South Australia during the 2010-11 season.

Looking forward, Burns is set to expand his cricket repertoire with the Dubai Capitals for the upcoming season of the UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20). His leadership and extensive experience are expected to bring substantial value to the team and to Italian cricket as a whole. Fabio Marabini, President of the Italian Cricket Federation, has expressed strong support for Burns’ new role, highlighting the potential impact of his leadership on the team’s performance and growth.

Through these developments, Burns continues to demonstrate his versatility and dedication to the sport, contributing both to his new team in Italy and the global cricketing landscape.