Joe Burns, Former Australian Opener, has confirmed that he will represent Italy in a tribute to his brother’s death. Burns’s brother Dominic, passed away in February this year and Burns decided to play in his brother’s honour to represent Italy on the path to the 2026 World Cup.
The 34-year-old is eligible to represent Italy through his mother’s heritage, His Grandparents left Italy for a better life in Australia. He is now part of the Italy squad as his team will compete for the sub-regional qualifier. Burns will wear 85 Jersey for Italy as his brother Dominic also wears the same number.
The top-order batter is not contracted by Quenseland for the 2024-2025 season and he is not involved in Big Bash as well. Joe Burns Played 23 Test matches for Australia, and he scored four centuries and seven fifties, he scored three centuries and four fifties in his first 10 matches but could not carry the form in the next few years. He also represented Australia six times in the ODI.
Joe Burns wrote in a post on his Instagram account to confirm his decision to play for Italy. ‘This is for the people who I know will be looking down proudly from above. In February of this year, my brother sadly passed away. 85 was his number in the last team he played (and his birth year) for the mighty Northern Federals in sub-districts.’
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‘I often reflect on the bravery and commitment it must have taken my Grandparents when they left Italy to start a new life in Australia. They found a way to make it work through adversity and this has always given me solace through life’s lessons. I’m so proud to represent Italy on our path to the 2026 World Cup.’ Burns wrote on Instagram.
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