The dream of seeing Joe Burns, the former Australian international, lead Italy onto the world stage at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka has been dashed. Despite Burns captaining Italy through a historic qualifying campaign, the Italian Cricket Federation (FCI) has confirmed that he will not be part of the squad for the tournament in February 2026.
The FCI's announcement on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, cited the failure to reach a final agreement or contract with Burns as the primary reason for his exclusion. While preliminary discussions took place, a formal contract was never signed. Simultaneously, the federation revealed that Wayne Madsen, an experienced batter, has been appointed as the new captain of the Italian T20 team. Madsen will lead Italy in their upcoming T20I tour of Ireland and at the World Cup, officially replacing Burns as skipper.
The decision to omit Burns was driven by the need for "stability, harmony, and continuity" as Italy prepares for their first-ever appearance at a major global cricket event. The FCI stated that internal technical and organizational evaluations identified Madsen as the most suitable leader at this stage, prioritizing long-term team balance over short-term considerations. The federation also acknowledged Burns' significant contribution to Italian cricket, both on and off the field.
While the FCI's official statement makes no mention of explosive WhatsApp messages, sources suggest that disagreements over Burns' role and compensation may have contributed to the breakdown in negotiations. Details of these alleged WhatsApp exchanges remain unconfirmed, but they reportedly highlight a growing rift between Burns and the federation in the months leading up to the squad announcement.
Burns' journey to representing Italy was a poignant one. After playing 23 Tests and six ODIs for Australia between 2014 and 2020, he became eligible to represent Italy through his mother's heritage and relocated there in 2024. He dedicated his move to his late brother, Dominic, even wearing jersey number 85 in his honor. Burns played a crucial role in Italy's breakthrough qualification, scoring 271 runs in eight T20 internationals, including an unbeaten century.
Madsen's appointment signals a shift in leadership and strategy for the Italian team. The 41-year-old, who has previously represented Italy, is regarded as a central figure in the squad and the national team's broader coaching and development project. He missed Italy's qualification at the European Regional Qualifier due to county duty but has represented Italy since 2023.
Italy's T20 World Cup campaign begins against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9. They are placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, and Nepal.
