MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Former Australia Test opener Joe Burns has switched to Italy to help Europe qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup in memory of his late brother.
Barnes, who played 23 Test matches between 2014-20, has been taken off the Queensland contract list for the upcoming Australian domestic season and is mourning the death of his brother in February.
Ms Burns posted her grief on social media, along with a picture of her brother wearing the blue Italy shirt with the number 85 that he wore for the Queensland amateur cricket club.
“I feel like a part of my soul will be gone forever, but I know this shirt will carry on his spirit and give me strength,” Burns said.
“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.
“They found a way to overcome adversity and that has always given me comfort through life lessons.”
“I am very proud to represent Italy on the road to the 2026 World Cup.”
Italy, who have never played in a World Cup in any format, finished third in the European qualifiers and missed out on a place at the T20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the Caribbean.
The top two in Europe, Scotland and Ireland, have qualified for the 20-team tournament which begins on Saturday.
Italy will try again next month in a regional tournament in Rome as part of qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“The Rome stadium may be a long way from the Gabba or the MCG or even the front gardens where we grew up, but it feels like coming home,” Barnes said.
(Reporting by Ian Ransome in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
