Joe Burns was falling out of love with cricket – now he’s leading Italy’s World Cup charge

Joe Burns used to partner David Warner at the top of Australia’s batting order. Now he’s leading Italy’s T20 World Cup charge. He reveals what lured him over to the Azzurri, and how it has changed his perspective.

Joe Burns has rediscovered his love of cricket playing for Italy.

Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns has rediscovered his love for cricket as he seeks to lead Italy to World Cup qualification for the first time next month.

Burns, 35, is in Europe as the Italian squad prepares for July’s Twenty20 World Cup qualification tournament in the Netherlands, from which two teams will book their spots at next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The Queenslander, who played the last of his 23 Tests for Australia in late 2020, is eligible to play for Italy via his maternal grandparents and made his debut for the Azzurri last year.

Maiden T20I ton for Joe Burns in his first tournament for the Azzurri. Italy have half a foot in the European Finals.#ITAvROMpic.twitter.com/BtiLHJNqZx

— Bertus de Jong (@BdJcricket) June 16, 2024

He was in London to watch his former side play in the World Test Championship final before heading to Rome for a training camp ahead of practice games in the UK and the five-team Europe regional final, also featuring Scotland, the Netherlands, Guernsey and Jersey.

Burns, who made four Test tons for the Aussies, joined Italy after being dropped and then losing his state deal with the Bulls in early 2024.

His No. 85 shirt for Italy is a tribute to his late brother Dominic, who died in February 2024 and had worn that number in Brisbane club cricket.

The right-hander said that his passion for the sport had been waning during his final months in the Australian domestic system, a spark that had re-emerged with Italy.

“Yeah definitely. The last year in Queensland I was probably bit unsure how long I was going to play cricket for,” Burns told this masthead.

“I felt like I needed a new challenge. So this kind of popped up, and perfect timing for me. The last year travelling around the world, doing franchise cricket and playing in ICC events with Italy has been really refreshing, really motivating and very enjoyable.

“So loving playing the game, and it’s very much a change that I reflect back on now and I think it’s really helped my game as well.”

Joe Burns was falling out of the game at Queensland. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Burns said that as a child he had taken elements of his Italian heritage for granted but that being involved in Italy’s push for a World Cup spot had helped him appreciate his roots.

“As you get older you really feel connected to different parts of your family, where your lineage comes from. It’s very satisfying for me to pay homage to that. But also the connection with the rest of the guys in the team, very similar stories, where we come from and who we’re representing,” Burns said.

“When you play for Australia there’s obviously such a storied past. When you’re playing in the moment you’re kind of carrying on traditions and legacy from time before your era and maintain that baggy green.

“Whereas playing for Italy it’s very much a blank canvas, trying to shape the future. So it’s a completely different landscape, mindset, it’s really refreshing for me.

“For me it’s just about trying to leave the game in a better place. The funding and the opportunities that would be created from the country going to a World Cup, and trying to develop the game locally in Italy, but also I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play international cricket before and have great memories with the Aussie team so trying to share more of those memories with the Italian boys.”

The Italian squad, coached by former Canadian star and Aussie state cricketer John Davison, also includes Durham gun Emilio Gay and all-rounder Harry Manenti, who has played for the Adelaide Strikers.

Originally published as Joe Burns was falling out of love with cricket – now he’s leading Italy’s World Cup charge