This former Australian Test star just led Italy to cricket World Cup for first time

Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns says it was “a very emotional day” as he helped guide Italy to their first cricket world cup before dedicating the moment to his late brother and the generations of Italian migrants whose stories inspired a team of underdogs to create history on Saturday (AEST).

“It was a massive goal and obviously the last 18 months has been really tough. I think in some respects, this really gave me something to focus on,” Burns said after Italy scraped through qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“It’s the two things I love: family and cricket. The support I’ve received from a wide range of people has really inspired me.”

Italy’s stunning passage to the tournament was confirmed on Saturday after a nerve-jangling day at the European qualifiers in the Netherlands.

Earlier in the week, Italy pulled off an underdog win over Scotland to seize the upper hand in the race for one of two qualification spots for next year’s tournament.

The Azzurri needed a win against the Netherlands – or to avoid a heavy defeat – to secure their ticket.

Ben Manenti, who plays for South Australia and the Sydney Sixers, celebrates Italy’s qualification to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Credit: ICC

The Italians batted first but stumbled to 3-41 in the seventh over after Burns was dismissed for 21.

At 4-46 in the ninth over, Italy’s World Cup hopes looked to be fading, before a vital 45-run partnership between brothers Harry (23) and Ben Manenti (30) – who play Big Bash cricket for the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers respectively – steadied the innings.

Some late hitting lifted Italy to 7-134, leaving a nervous wait. If the Netherlands were able to chase the total down by the 15th over, Italy would miss out and Jersey would qualify instead on net run rate.

However, the Netherlands reached the target in 16.2 overs, prompting jubilant scenes among the Italian squad. It marks the first time Italy have qualified for a Cricket World Cup in any format.

“It’s still very surreal, but it’s been a very emotional day,” Burns said ahead of an early flight on Sunday to Rome.

Former Test opener Joe Burns is captaining Italy.Credit: ICC

“It was a tale of two games. We started off trying to win the game. It was a strange old game, celebrating after a loss, which is not something I have done before but obviously a very satisfying feeling.”

Burns, whose mother is of Italian descent, began representing the Azzurri in honour of his brother Dominic, who died in February last year.

“It was a chance to come together and achieve something special,” Burns said. “Also to pay homage to people who are scattered around the world and looking down from above has been a really special thing.

“We’ve had so much support from obviously within Italy and within our own circles, but I feel like the world cricketing community has really supported us and got behind us.

“We’re trying to honour past generations and the sacrifices made by different family members, obviously after WWII. That brings us together. The grandparents of this current generation of players were dispersed all over the world.”

Burns last played Test cricket for Australia in December 2020 and appeared in his final first-class match for Queensland in early 2024.

The Manenti brothers are the sons of former Australian rugby sevens coach John Manenti.

Italy’s World Cup qualification caps a huge year for Ben, who was at the crease with Jason Sangha when South Australia ended their 29-year Sheffield Shield title drought in March.

Teams qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup

• Afghanistan
• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Canada
• England
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• USA
• West Indies

Seven players in Italy’s set-up have Australian heritage: Burns, the Manenti brothers, Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, Grant Stewart and Thomas Draca.

“It’s one of those dreams you set out on, not just a few weeks or months ago, but for some of these guys several years in the making,” Burns said. “Hopefully, we sit back in two or three weeks and have a realisation of what we’ve been able to achieve. We’ve talked a lot about leaving a legacy for Italian cricket and generations after us.”

Cummins to be rested with Ashes on horizon

Test captain Pat Cummins will miss Australia’s white-ball matches against South Africa next month in a bid to freshen up before the Ashes this summer.

As Australia look to wrap up a 3-0 series win over the West Indies in the Caribbean, planning is already well under way for the five-Test series against England starting in November.

Pat Cummins will sit out next month’s white ball matches against the Proteas.Credit: AP

Cummins will be one of Australia’s most important players during the Ashes, with Cricket Australia doing everything possible to make sure the 32-year-old is raring to go when England tour.

Speaking before the third Test in Kingston, Cummins said he would be rested from three T20s and three ODIs against South Africa from August 10 to 24. He is also skipping the five T20s in the West Indies that follow the Test tour.

Cummins will return to Australia and undergo a training block, before potentially resuming international duties when Australia travel to New Zealand for three T20s in early October.

He is likely to feature in white ball games against India later in October, as well as a Sheffield Shield match, in the lead-up to the first Test Perth starting November 21.

“I’ll have a good training block in the next couple of months,” Cummins said. “Probably not much bowling, but lots of gym work.

“The body feels pretty good, but there’s always little bits and pieces you’re always trying to get right and then build up for the summer. Potentially a Shield game [for NSW] and then the home summer.”

Cummins played all five Tests for Australia against India last summer but missed two away Tests against Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child. He also featured in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year’s Indian Premier League before Australia’s World Test Championship final loss to South Africa.

The fast bowler said he had been keeping an eye on England’s Test series against India, which is locked at 1-1 midway through the third Test at Lord’s.

“I saw a little bit today and yesterday. It looks like that Lord’s deck is a little bit slow,” Cummins said. “It looks like it’s a pretty tight series and close in all three games.”

The third Test in Jamaica serves as another chance for the likes of Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja to mount a compelling case for selection in the Ashes after recent struggles.

Cummins said plenty could change between now and November.

“There’s a lot of Shield cricket to come and some Aussie A stuff as well. The Ashes is close to six months away,” Cummins said. “You do well at Test level any time, and it’s going to make your case more compelling. I think there’s a bit of a connection to the summer [with what’s happening in the West Indies] but it feels a long way away.”