Know why Joe Burns won't play ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka
Know why the former Australia opening batter and the captain of the Italy side in the qualifiers, Joe Burns, won't feature in the plans of the country in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
The former Australia opening batter, Joe Burns, has been replaced as captain and left out of the Italy side for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. Burns, who played 23 Tests for Australia, was the captain and the leading man of the side’s qualifying campaigns over the last 18 months, culminating in July this year.
Joe Burns led the side to two wins over Scotland and Guernsey in the regional qualifier of Europe, securing a historic first World Cup spot, in what was a heartwarming late-career twist. Now, he faced a massive heartbreak after the Italian Cricket Federation (FCRI) announced Wayne Madsen, the veteran Derbyshire batter, as captain for the ICC event.
Burns’ Italy stint has been driven by the grief he went under after losing his brother at the start of 2024. He made the move to play for Italy and was eventually appointed captain at the end of the year. He wore the number 85 jersey as a tribute to his late brother.
Italy betray Joe Burns ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The statement from the FRCI didn’t go much beyond the mention of availability and contractual terms as a reason, but the issue is anticipated to go deeper. The board only hinted at those broader issues, stating that the decision has responded to the need to ensure stability, harmony, and continuity for the team.
Burns has been aware of the axe for a while. And Madsen was first announced as the leader in the press release at the end of November, when he was with the team for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Burns, meanwhile, wasn’t part of the squad for that camp.
Burns is believed to have repeatedly informed the board that he had accepted their terms and was willing to play. He has played eight T20Is for the country, smashing a century and a fifty, with an average of 45, with a strike rate of around 140. The board also stated that they won’t be commenting on the matter in the future.
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