In the 2024 T20 World Cup, the United State of America (USA) team made their debut and qualified for even the next stage of the T20 World Cup. In the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, we will have a new team in Italy. Yes, Italy, they beat Scotland and qualified for an ICC event for the very first time in cricketing history.
Reacting to this historic feat, Italy’s captain Joe Burns said the team wants to become a beacon for the Italians, also stating it was an emotional moment for him and his side.
“It’s still very surreal,” Joe Burns, Italy’s captain, told ESPNcricinfo on Saturday morning. “We’ll probably take a few weeks to get home and decompress a bit to fully realise the impact that the occasion will have on so many people. It was an emotional moment that we’re going to try and reflect on as a group as much as we can over the next few months.”
The Italians’ 12-run victory over Scotland on Wednesday was the pivotal outcome. Harry Manenti, who has played a few BBL games with the Adelaide Strikers, took 5 for 31 with his medium pace. It was started by Durham opener Emilio Gay, who scored 50 off 21 balls; it was followed up by Kent all-rounder Grant Stewart, who smashed 44 not out off 27.
Although those names represent a diverse set of athletes with locations across the globe, they share a common heritage. Burns’ personal tale is typical: his family moved to Australia when his grandpa was captured in North Africa during World War II, despite his origins being in Calabria, in southern Italy. He made his debut for Italy last year and has always had an affinity to the country.
“I think we had six Australian-born players in our team yesterday… If we do play Australia and I’m on the field, it’ll obviously be a very special occasion”
“When you play for Australia, there’s such a history to the baggy green that you’re honouring the past and representing the people that have gone before,” Burns said. “When you’re playing for Italy, it’s very much a blank canvas, trying to shape the future.”
Burns had to wait three years after his last Australia appearance in 2020 to be eligible, having originally contacted Cricket Italia in 2009, when qualification regulations were more stringent. However, he has put himself into his new challenge, becoming the leadership this summer and honoring his late brother, Dominic, by donning the number 85 shirt.
“A lot of our grandparents left Italy after World War II, so it’s very much a shared story to come together and to represent past generations,” he said. “I know my grandparents would be very proud, and I know mum and dad have been following the games really closely. There are Italians dispersed all over the world, and I hope this team is a beacon for Italians everywhere.”
The team Italy who stunned Scotland, who had appeared in this tournament before, aims to win the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka and India
“This has all come together on the back of a lot of planning. People ask me what the goal for the World Cup is and I say, ‘Look, we’re planning and preparing to win every game – so we’re planning to win the World Cup.’ I want the guys to enjoy the experience and play with freedom – but you have to earn the right to play with freedom on the back of really solid preparation.”
Cricket is a niche sport in Italy, but World Cup qualification will unlock new sources of funding. “It will go a long way for us,” Burns said. “We don’t have any turf facilities, and very little facilities in general, but this gives us an opportunity to develop the game. We’ve had a lot of support from CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) which keeps building in the background.
