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Hans India
a day ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Italy captain Burns credits 'planning and preparation' for T20 World Cup qualification
New Delhi: After Italy's groundbreaking qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, captain Joe Burns credited behind the scenes hard work but emphasised that it is just the beginning of their broader goals. Burns, a former Australian Test cricketer who qualifies for the Italians through family heritage, called the moment 'surreal'. 'I'm really proud of this group,' Burns told ICC Digital. 'A lot of planning and preparation went into it. So it's satisfying from that aspect from the cricket side as well.' That planning saw the team conduct rigorous training camps in Rome and the UK, underlining their commitment to preparation. 'I said to them the first day in Rome, 'I don't care if we're playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket,'' Burns said. Their tactical acumen was on full display during the European Regional Final in Voorburg. After dominant wins and a crucial upset against Scotland, Italy stood firm against tournament hosts Netherlands. Even in defeat, Burns recalibrated strategy mid-match to secure qualification. 'There were probably two games in a game there,' Burns reflected. 'They outplayed us in the first 10 overs… Then from there we really just had to get a score on the board that we could defend… I knew the spinners had bowled so well in the tournament that once we got out of the Powerplay… we were going to be able to regain control.' The contributions of players like Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti were pivotal in clawing back control in that match. And while the players have delivered on the field, the coaching staff's behind-the-scenes work has been equally vital. Led by head coach John Davidson, Italy's setup includes seasoned cricket figures like Dougie Brown and Irish legend Kevin O'Brien. O'Brien, who joined in 2022, has seen first-hand the team's transformation. 'I've seen a group of players who have grown and developed into a really close-knit group,' he said. 'The common joining force with this squad is the Italian heritage.' O'Brien praised Burns' dedication. 'Joe was meticulously prepared. He was 24/7 invested in this qualification tournament,' he said. Burns, in turn, lauded the coaching unit's experience navigating Associate cricket. 'These guys have walked that path… The value they brought to the group, coming through the Associate pathway, is vital.' As Italy prepare to face the likes of India and Sri Lanka at next year's T20 World Cup, Burns welcomes the challenge. 'You come to your first World Cup and you want the big stage. I'd love to be playing India in the first game in India.'
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
I'd Love To Play First Game Of T20 World Cup Against India: Italy Captain Joe Burns
Italy will be playing in their maiden T20 World Cup when the competition will be held in India next year. After leading Italy to their first-ever T20 World Cup qualification, Australia-born captain Joe Burns is eager to 'jump in at the deep end" by facing defending champions India in the opening match of the showpiece event next year. Italy secured a spot in the event in India and Sri Lanka with a strong performance in the European Qualifiers concluded earlier this month. The World Cup draws are yet to be finalised. 'You come to your first World Cup and you want the big stage. I'd love to be playing India in the first game in India," Burns told ICC Digital. 'I'd love to be playing Australia, England, or all the top teams. That's the experience you're after. You want to test yourself, you want to really jump in at the deep end," he added. Burns described qualifying for the tournament as a 'surreal" feeling. 'A lot of planning and preparation went into it (qualifying). So it's satisfying from that aspect of the cricket side as well," he said. He mentioned that the entire process was emotional for him and the rest of the team. 'We did a one-week training camp in Rome, one week in the UK, and I told them on the first day in Rome, 'I don't care if we're playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket,'" he said. A former Australia player with four Test centuries, Burns joined the Italian squad thanks to his mother's heritage. This helped him through a personally challenging phase, including the death of his brother Dominic. 'For me, it was an opportunity to unite family and cricket, and I think for our group, everyone has a really similar story to that. 'We did a great culture piece in Rome (in the build-up to the Qualifier), about who we are, where we come from, and understanding each other's families and sacrifices made," he said. Former Canada international John Davidson is the head coach of the team, with ex-Scotland international Dougie Brown and Ireland star Kevin O'Brien as his assistants. 'I've seen a group of players who have grown and developed into a really close-knit group," O'Brien said. 'That can be difficult with players coming from different parts of the world, but the common joining force with this squad is the Italian heritage. 'I've seen the guys improve, and that is not only with their cricket skills, it's all the other things that you need to be successful in International cricket, like attitude, fitness, awareness, cricket smarts, and work ethic," he added. With PTI Inputs view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 15:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Love to play against India in first game of T20 World Cup next year: Italy captain Joe Burns
DUBAI: Having led Italy to their maiden World Cup qualification, the European team's Australia-born captain Joe Burns wants to "jump in at the deep end" during the T20 showpiece next year by taking on defending champions India in the opening match itself. Italy made the cut for the event in India and Sri Lanka next year with a solid showing in the European Qualifiers that concluded earlier this month. The draws for the World Cup are still some time away from being finalised. "You come to your first World Cup and you want the big stage. I'd love to be playing India in the first game in India," Burns told ICC Digital. "I'd love to be playing Australia, England or all the top teams, that's the experience that you're after. You want to test yourself, you want to really jump in at the deep end," he added. Burns said qualifying for the tournament was still a "surreal" feeling for him. "A lot of planning and preparation went into it (qualifying). So it's satisfying from that aspect from the cricket side as well," he said. He said the entire process was emotional for him and for the rest of the team. "We did one week training camp in Rome, one week in the UK, and I said to them the first day in Rome, 'I don't care if we're playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket'."
Deccan Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
How memories of Sourav Ganguly's shirt swinging at Lord's inspired Jofra's match-deciding spell
Ben Stokes said, "I reminded Jofra Archer of today's date and he said, 'was it Ganguly waving off his shirt in a World Cup Final?'. He thought that 2002 ODI match was a WC final and took place 6 years ago, I told him, 'no, it's the WC we won' and he was like 'oh yes'".
Irish Independent
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
One Kerry medallist returns from the Munster Strokeplay in Cork
A member of last year's Munster Inter-County Nett winning side, Eileen is continuing a comeback to the game after a long absence as she finished two strokes off the winning score last Sunday. Rounds of +7 and +6 gave her a +13 total as Riverdale of Nenagh's Margaret Forde was the winner on +11 with Megan Ahern from the host club second on +12. In the Mens' events, meanwhile, there were three Top 10 Kerry finishes in two events. The Senior Mens saw Damien Fleming finish fifth overall after the 54 holes on 19 under par as despite being in a good position of fourth on 16 under after the first 36, he never caught fire in the playoff. John Walsh from the hosts was the winner on 24 under as Castleisland's Aidan O'Connor had an impressive performance in reaching the play-off and finishing eighth overall on 13 under par. The other Top 10 finish was in Saturday's Intermediate Mens event where Tralee's Mark Lucey finished 10th overall. Lucey was fourth overall after the first 36 holes on six under par, three off the lead, but his challenge fell away in the final 18 as he slipped back to one under overall. The event was won by Morty Ahern from the host club on 15 under par. Tuesday, July 8 last, meanwhile, saw the conclusion of the Bob Casey Memorial Inter-Club Strokeplay Championships as for the first time in six years a team from Deerpark was victorious. Their 'Green' team of James Fleming, Gearóid Cronin, Connie O'Sullivan Jnr, Brian McCarthy, Niall O'Loughlin, Seán O'Mahoney, James Foley, Nathan Cronin, Mark O'Shea and Paddy Murphy recovered from losing the opening night in Tralee to win the three remaining nights in Castleisland, Deerpark and Listowel to win from Tralee C as the win prevented a fourth successive Tralee success in the competition. The competition also meant the confirmation of the Kerry Intermediate and Junior Mens sides for the Munster Inter-County Championships in Ardnacrusha on the weekend of August 31 and September 1 with the two sides made up of the following: Intermediate Mens 1. Con O'Sullivan Jnr (Deerpark) 2. Mark Lucey (Tralee) 3. Michael Creagh (Tralee) 4. Eamonn Sheehy (Tralee) 5. Dan Broderick Jnr (Tralee) 6. James Fleming (Deerpark) Sub. Danny O'Leary (Tralee) Junior Mens 1. Mark O'Shea (Deerpark) 2. Brian McCarthy (Deerpark) 3. Sean O'Mahoney (Deerpark) 4. Nathan Cronin (Deerpark) 5. Reece Sugrue (Tralee) 6. Alan O'Connor (Tralee) Sub. Adam Ricken (Castleisland) This weekend, of course, is another big occasion for Damien Fleming as he represents Ireland once more on the Men's Team for the European Team Championships in Lucan in Dublin. It comes after his appearance in the World Cup Final win over North Portugal last year as he will be playing in this event 20 years on from when his Deerpark club-mate Derry McCarthy captained Ireland to victory in this same event in Holland in 2005. The County Board wishes Damien all the best this weekend along with the two Irish teams (Mens and Ladies) taking part.
