- Joe Burns scored a century for Italy
- Former Australia batter has switched allegiances
- He may assist Italy qualify for the World Cup
Joe Burns has accomplished the uncommon feat of hitting centuries for 2 separate nations, with Australia’s former Check batter starring in one in all his first appearances for Italy in Rome.
After making the choice to honour his late brother and attempt to assist Italy qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Burns hit 108 from 55 balls in a 160-run win over Romania on Sunday.
Burns’ century was the very best rating ever made by an Italian participant and made him solely the sixth man in historical past to hit lots of for 2 completely different nations.
It got here as Italy received by way of their qualifying match in Rome, granting them entry to subsequent yr’s four-team European finals, from which two sides will advance.
Burns completed with 211 runs for the match at a mean of 70.33 and a strike-rate of 144.52.
Joe Burns hit a century to assist Italy to an enormous win in World Cup qualification
The previous Australia batter has switched allegiances to cricketing minnows Italy
After dropping off Queensland’s contract listing this yr, Burns made the decision to honour his mom’s Italian heritage and swap his allegiances to the European nation.
In doing so, Burns opted to put on the No.85 on his taking part in jersey, the identical quantity his late brother Dominic wore whereas taking part in membership cricket in Brisbane.
‘This is not only a quantity and this is not only a jersey,’ Burns wrote on Instagram final month.
‘That is for the individuals who I do know will probably be trying down proudly from above.
‘The times, weeks and months since my brother’s demise have been the hardest I may ever think about.
‘I am not too proud to confess that it has been a each day battle that I typically lose.
‘Whereas part of my soul seems like it is going to all the time be lacking, I do know this shirt will keep on his spirit and provides me energy.’
Different gamers to have scored centuries for various nations are Keppler Wessels, Gary Ballance, Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan and Mark Chapman.
Burns performed 23 Checks and 6 ODIs for Australia between 2014 and 2020, however is now uncontracted in each state cricket and the Large Bash League for this summer season.
