Desk Report,
World War II, the T20 World Cup and one Joe Burns
The 2014 Australia-India Boxing Day Test is often discussed because of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. That match in Melbourne was Dhoni’s last Test. An Australian made his Test debut in Dhoni’s farewell match, it can be said that there was no special outcry.
World War II, the T20 World Cup and one Joe Burns
Exactly six years later, another Australia-India Boxing Day Test in 2020 was discussed because of Shubman Gill. The current Test captain of India made his debut in that match. And in this match in 2020, the opener who debuted half a century ago played his last Test for Australia. This time, again, quietly, no one knew that Australia’s baggy green would not be on his head again.
One of the many definitions of cricket is – ‘It’s a funny game’. That is also the cricket experience in Joe Burns’ life. Burns is the Australian right-handed opener who made his debut in Dhoni’s last Test and made an unannounced exit in Gill’s first Test.
Burns, who last played for Australia about five years ago, is now the captain of the Italian national cricket team. Under his leadership, Italy has secured a place in the 2026 T20 World Cup, a first in the history of the European country.
The 35-year-old Burns’ transition from Australian to Italian, from disappearing from the sky of international cricket to re-emerging on the world stage with a young team – Burns’ story is as much one of resurrection as it is of emotion. Overall, it is a joy.
Burns was born in Brisbane. However, his ancestors’ homeland is Italy. Italy fought on the Axis Powers alongside Germany and Japan in World War II.
The 2014 Australia-India Boxing Day Test is often discussed because of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. That match in Melbourne was Dhoni’s last Test. An Australian made his Test debut in Dhoni’s farewell match, it can be said that there was no special outcry.
Exactly six years later, another Australia-India Boxing Day Test in 2020 was discussed because of Shubman Gill. The current Test captain of India made his debut in that match. And in this match in 2020, the opener who debuted half a century ago played his last Test for Australia. This time, again, quietly, no one knew that Australia’s baggy green would not be on his head again.
One of the many definitions of cricket is – ‘It’s a funny game’. That is also the cricket experience in Joe Burns’ life. Burns is the Australian right-handed opener who made his debut in Dhoni’s last Test and made an unannounced exit in Gill’s first Test.
Burns, who last played for Australia about five years ago, is now the captain of the Italian national cricket team. Under his leadership, Italy has secured a place in the 2026 T20 World Cup, a first in the history of the European country.
The 35-year-old Burns’ transition from Australian to Italian, from disappearing from the sky of international cricket to re-emerging on the world stage with a young team – Burns’ story is as much one of resurrection as it is of emotion. Overall, it is a joy.
Burns was born in Brisbane. However, his ancestors’ homeland is Italy. Italy fought on the Axis Powers alongside Germany and Japan in World War II.
