Burns’ omission represents a significant moment for Italian cricket, coming just months after he led the team through a landmark qualifying campaign in the Netherlands in July 2025. Under his leadership, Italy secured their first appearance at a T20 Men’s World Cup, a breakthrough for a country still establishing itself on the international stage.
The Federation announced this in the same statement Wayne Madsen has been named captain of the Italy men’s T20 squad. The veteran batsman will lead Italy on their upcoming T20I tour of Ireland before taking charge at the World Cup final, officially succeeding Burns as captain. Madsen, who previously represented Italy, is seen as a key figure within the squad and also in the national team’s long-term coaching and development framework.
While Burns’ exclusion may come as a surprise given his recent leadership role, the Federation stressed that the decision was made with an emphasis on stability, harmony and continuity as Italy prepares for the most important event in its cricketing history. Madsen was identified as the most suitable leader at this stage, with long-term team balance taking precedence over short-term considerations.
The Italian Cricket Federation also paid tribute to Burns’ contributions, recognizing his influence both on and off the field. Burns represented Italy in tournaments in Rome and Uganda in 2024 and captained the side during the crucial qualifying campaign. His role in guiding Italy to their first World Cup appearance was described as an important milestone in the national team’s development.
Italy’s World Cup campaign starts on February 9 in Calcutta against Bangladesh. The Federation added that it would not comment further on individual matters, choosing instead to focus fully on preparations and ensuring a peaceful build-up ahead of the team’s historic debut on cricket’s biggest stage.
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