Joe Burns left out of Italy squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Joe Burns (Photo Source: Twitter/X)

Former Australian international Joe Burns, who captained Italy to a historic first-ever qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, will not be part of the squad for the global tournament to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year. The Italian Cricket Federation confirmed on Tuesday, December 16, that Burns has been left out following discussions regarding his availability, with no final agreement or contract reached between the two parties.

Burns’ omission represents a significant moment for Italian cricket, coming just months after he led the team through a landmark qualifying campaign in the Netherlands in July 2025. Under his leadership, Italy secured their maiden appearance at a Men’s T20 World Cup, a breakthrough achievement for a nation still establishing itself on the international stage.

In the same statement, the Federation announced that Wayne Madsen has been appointed captain of the Italian men’s T20 side. The experienced batter will lead Italy on their upcoming T20I tour of Ireland before taking charge at the World Cup finals, officially succeeding Burns as captain. Madsen, who has previously represented Italy, is viewed as a key figure within the squad as well as in the national team’s long-term coaching and development framework.

While Burns’ exclusion may come as a surprise given his recent leadership role, the Federation emphasised that the decision was taken with a focus on stability, harmony, and continuity as Italy prepares for the most significant event in its cricketing history. Madsen was identified as the most suitable leader at this stage, with long-term team balance taking precedence over short-term considerations.

The Italian Cricket Federation also paid tribute to Burns’ contributions, acknowledging his influence both on and off the field. Burns represented Italy in tournaments in Rome and Uganda in 2024 and captained the side throughout the crucial qualification campaign. His role in guiding Italy to their first World Cup appearance was described as a major milestone in the development of the national team.

Italy’s World Cup campaign will begin against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9. The Federation added that it would not comment further on individual matters, opting instead to focus fully on preparations and ensuring a calm build-up ahead of the team’s historic debut on cricket’s biggest stage.

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