Italy Names New Captain for T20 World Cup Amid Burns Departure

Joe Burns, a key player in Italy's T20 World Cup qualification, will not feature in the event after he failed to reach an agreement with the Italian Cricket Federation. Wayne Madsen will lead the team, ensuring consistency and stability as Italy debuts in the global cricket event.

In a significant move, the Italian Cricket Federation has announced that Wayne Madsen will captain Italy in their historic first T20 World Cup appearance, sidestepping Joe Burns over contractual disagreements.

Burns, who played a crucial role in Italy's qualification, was unable to finalize terms with the federation. "Preliminary exchanges of availability took place, but a full agreement was never reached," the federation explained, emphasizing the need for a stable leadership team.

Madsen's appointment is seen as a strategic decision to prioritize stability ahead of the World Cup, where Italy will face formidable opponents such as England and West Indies. Burns was commended for his past contributions, notably during the European qualifiers.

(With inputs from agencies.)