Former Aussie opener Joe Burns to play for Italy in honour of his late brother

Former Australian opener Joe Burns decided to join Italy to help them secure a spot in the next T20 World Cup 2026. Burns made this decision to honour the memory of his late brother, Dominic, and his grandparents, who passed away in February earlier this year.

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After this, Burns would not be receiving a contract from Queensland for the 2024-25 season.

Burns would be wearing the number 85 jersey to give tribute to his late brother.

Burns has played 23 tests and 6 ODIs for Australia and scored 1442 runs in the longest format and 146 runs in the shortest format. 

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"I often reflect on the bravery and commitment it must have taken my Grandparents when they left Italy to start a new life in Australia," he wrote. "They found a way to make it work through adversity and this has always given me solace through life's lessons. I'm so proud to represent Italy on our path to the 2026 World Cup," Bunrs said in an emotional Instagram post.

Italy will be starting their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier on June 9 against Luxembourg.