Wayne Madsen will lead Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025, which will be staged in India and Sri Lanka, the Italian Cricket Federation (Federazione Cricket Italia) confirmed on Wednesday. Joe Burns, who led Italy in Europe’s regional qualifier to secure a historic first World Cup berth, has been left out.
Burns was excluded after negotiations regarding his contract failed to reach a final agreement. The former Australian opener had been aware of his potential exclusion for some time. Madsen was first named captain in an FRCI press release at the end of November, when he was with the team in the UAE for a training camp. Burns was also not part of Italy’s squad for that camp.
“Madsen brings significant international and domestic experience to the position, having already represented Italy in T20Is, and remains a central figure within the squad’s leadership group,” Italy’s governing body said in its statement. “The Federation can also confirm that Joe Burns will not be selected as part of Italy’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“Although preliminary discussions regarding availability took place in recent weeks, a full agreement was never reached and, consequently, a formal contract was not signed. At the same time, internal technical and organisational evaluations led to the selection of Wayne Madsen as captain.”
Placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies and Nepal, Italy will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 9.
Before the World Cup, Madsen will lead Italy in a bilateral series against Ireland in January.
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