Archive July 5, 2025

Joe Burns says Italy’s cricketers have the chance to “create a legacy” as he attempts to guide the European nation to their first ever World Cup.

Opening batter Burns, 35, made four centuries in 23 Tests for Australia between 2014 and 2020 but made himself available to play for Italy last year, qualifying through his grandparents.

He has since been appointed captain of Italy, who will battle it out with Guernsey, Jersey, Scotland and the Netherlands in a European regional qualifier for next year’s 2026 T20 World Cup.

The two teams who finish top of the round-robin tournament held in the Hague between 5 to 11 July will qualify for the event in India and Sri Lanka.

“We’re very confident that if we play to our best, we’ll be going to a World Cup,” Burns told BBC Sport.

“It’s not lost on us the magnitude of the impact we can have on Italian cricket. We talk a lot as a team about creating a legacy for the generations to come after us.

“To wear the Italian cap at a World Cup would make us a groundbreaking team. And we think we’ve got the team to get there. “

The first recorded game in Italy was played in Naples in 1793 by sailors from the fleet of Lord Nelson, and today there are more than 3,500 competitive players and in excess of 100 clubs.

They are currently 32nd in the International Cricket Council world rankings but do not have any proper turf pitches.

Italy’s squad have prepared for the tournament with a short training camp in Rome, some friendlies on grass in Horsham before warm-up games in the Netherlands.

Burns said there is a “huge opportunity” for cricket, and T20 in particular, to really grow in Italy and qualifying for the T20 World Cup could prove to be a major catalyst.

“I feel like Associate cricket is very much the grassroots of international cricket,” Burns added.

“But I really think that in 30, 40 or 50 years from now, Italy could be a massive player in world cricket.

Burns’ desire to play for Italy has allowed him to connect with his heritage.

His grandfather was an Italian POW, who left the country with his wife in the years which followed the Second World War.

They hailed from a small town in the commune of Delianuova, in Calabria, in the ‘toe’ of southwest Italy.

His mother – Grazia – was born in Brisbane but Burns says he always “felt Italian” growing up with memories of attending church, following Serie A and special afternoon lunches on Sundays.

“I grew up with Italian traditions and that Italian connection,” Burns said.

“So it’s nice to, I guess, combine the two loves of family and cricket and be able to play on the world stage. I’m at in this stage of my career, it’s really reinvigorating for the love of the game. “

Burns has quietly followed the cricket fortunes of Azzurri for a long time, and first made contact with the Federazione Cricket Italiana in 2009.

His grandfather passed away before he was born but his late grandmother did see him play international cricket.

He continued: “I remember my ‘nonna’ watching when I played for Australia, and she was always asking my mum what was going on and asking why I was hitting the ball in the air when I was nicking it to the slips!

“I’m sure she’s looking on very proudly now I’m playing for Italy. I hope the Italian cricket team is a bit of a beacon for Italians around the world. “

One of the main reasons Burns decided to play for Italy was in tribute to his brother, Dominic, who passed away last year.

“Really, it’s my two life communities that are helping me and my family through a tough time,” he said.

Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales

Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST

Wales were left devastated after wilting in the Kitakyushu heat to lose 24-19 to Japan and suffer a record 18th successive Test defeat.

First-half tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, as well as a penalty try, gave Wales a 19-7 half-time lead and hope of a first victory since beating Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023.

But Japan dominated the second half as Wales suffered in the extreme heat and humidity.

Tries from Takuro Matsunaga, Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, plus nine points from the boot of Seungsin Lee, piled on more misery for Wales.

Captain Dewi Lake was close to tears after the final whistle, with Wales’ 21-month wait for an international victory continuing.

“I don’t want to speak for everyone but we are gutted,” he said.

“It’s very tough to take because we have worked hard.

Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt said the whole squad had been affected.

“You could see the feelings not just from the squad but the whole staff as well,” said Sherratt.

Defeat means Wales have again slumped to an all-time low as they are still searching for a first Test win in 21 months.

Wales have slipped two places to 14th in the world rankings, now below Japan and Samoa.

Sherratt said Wales could not feel sorry for themselves with the second Test in Kobe next Saturday.

“We have got to quickly use the hurt to fuel us for next week,” said Sherratt.

“The great thing about this tour is we get the chance to put it right. “

Japan head coach Eddie Jones warned Wales they would face an improved side next weekend.

“We’re really happy with the win,” said Jones. “We will enjoy it and get ready to go again in Kobe, where we’ll need to play much better. “

Sherratt confirmed Wales lock Ben Carter will miss that game after he took a heavy hit to the side of the head after just 34 seconds.

Carter slumped to the ground after attempting to make a tackle and there was a lengthy stoppage before the second row was taken away on a stretcher.

The Dragons captain was up and about in the changing room afterwards but will not be available next weekend.

The oppressive conditions – with the temperature above 30C as well as high humidity – meant a three-minute water break in each half and an extended interval of 20 minutes were introduced.

Wales faded badly in the second half as Japan scored 19 unanswered points but Sherratt refused to blame the heat and humidity for the tourists’ demise.

“I would be making excuses if I said that,” said Sherratt.

“If you look at the game, we took pretty much every chance we got bar one in their 22.

“Every ball that hit the floor bounced for us and we were on the right side of the penalty count.

“In the second half there were some big moments. We had a line-out around 45 minutes to take the game to three scores and it was a tough call by the referee to penalise us.

“We have a young group, we have not had a win for a while and those little scars can start to run deep.

“In the second half every bounce went for them, we had some key line-out positions we did not make the most of and the penalty decisions went away from us.

“Maybe the conditions added to that also but my instinct is not so much. “

Lake said Wales would look at themselves first.

“Conditions are going to play a factor but we’re not blaming that,” said Lake.

“We weren’t clinical enough in the 22 and we didn’t come away with points. “

Jones was proved right when he said before the match the team that coped with conditions would win the game, but the Australian also praised his opposition.

“For Wales to come from the northern hemisphere into those conditions is difficult,” said Jones.

Jones, who masterminded a second success against Wales for Japan following the win in 2013, praised his side’s resilience after a slow start.

“For a young team’s perspective, that’s a very good win,” he said.

“In the first half, we were getting beaten in territory and possession.

“We had a lot of nerves and frequently gave the ball back early in the phase count.

“As a result, we were being beaten fair and square. But I sensed at half-time the players knew what to do. “

Jones praised the leadership of captain Michael Leitch.

“With Mike’s leadership in the second half, I thought they played a good 40 minutes of rugby and were really tough,” said Jones.

“At times, we were able to break the Wales defence and our set-piece was absolutely outstanding.