Former Australia Test opener Joe Burns has revealed the personal tragedy that prompted his decision to honour his tradition and help Italy qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Former Australia opener Joe Burns has revealed that he continues to mourn the recent death of his brother as he begins an incredible new chapter in his illustrious cricketing career.
Barnes was omitted from Queensland's Sheffield Shield squad for the eighth match against South Australia in Adelaide but shortly thereafter the 34-year-old's bad luck took a tragic turn with the sudden death of his 39-year-old brother Dominic.
Barnes was removed from Queensland's 2024-25 men's contract list in April but took to Instagram this morning to share more details about his latest cricketing adventure as part of Italy's squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers and say he will wear the number 85 jersey in honour of his late brother.
“This is not just a number. This is not just a jersey,” Barnes wrote. “This is for the people who will be proudly watching from above.”
“In February this year, my brother sadly passed away, and 85 was his jersey number (and birth year) on the team he last played for, sub-district powerhouses Northern Federals.
“The days, weeks and months following my brother's death were the most difficult I could imagine, and I am not proud to admit that every day was a losing battle.”
“Although I feel like a part of my soul is gone forever, I know this shirt carries on his spirit and gives me strength.
“I spent hours playing it as a kid and that connection with him is what made me fall in love with the game.”
Burns finished the 2023-24 Shield season with the second-highest batting average in the Queensland team but his performances of 446 runs at 37.16 in seven matches were ultimately deemed not enough to warrant him staying on for another year.
The 29-time Australian cap has also reached the end of his three-year contract with BBL side Melbourne Stars, leaving him without a professional contract for the first time since 2010-11, when he scored a century for Queensland on his Shield debut.
Italy, a surprisingly cricket-loving country where Burns has Italian ancestry on his mother's side, will benefit from the experience of a top-order batsman who has scored more than 100 runs in Test matches four times for Australia.
“I often think back to how much courage and determination it took for my grandparents to leave Italy and start a new life in Australia,” Burns continued in the post. “They found a way to overcome adversity and that has always given me comfort through these life lessons.”
“I'm incredibly proud to be representing Italy on the road to the 2026 World Cup. The stadium in Rome may be far from the Gabba, the MCG or even the front gardens of the houses where we grew up, but it feels like coming home.”
The veteran opener is arguably the best-known name in the team, but Australian cricket fans may also recognise some names, such as Harry Manenti (brother of South African player Ben), and Peter Di Venuto (brother of Michael) is also part of the coaching staff.
Italy are in Group A with France, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg and Turkey, while Group B consists of Austria, Hungary, Israel, Portugal and Romania. The winners of each group will qualify for the final and progress to the next phase.
