Former Australian cricketer Joe Burns has been appointed as the new captain of Italy's T20I team. Burns, who becomes eligible to play for his mother's home country in May this year, has been given the responsibility to lead the team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final. The team aims to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka, and with Burns' impressive record of 211 runs in 5 T20I matches for Italy, they have a strong chance to do so.
Joe Burns Appointed as Captain of Italy's T20I Team
Former Australian cricketer Joe Burns has made history by becoming the new captain of Italy's Twenty20 International (T20I) team. This appointment marks a significant milestone for Burns and for Italian cricket.
Burns' Eligibility and Credentials
Burns, who has played 21 Test matches and 11 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Australia, became eligible to represent Italy through his mother's nationality. He qualifies to play for the team as of May 2023.
Throughout his career, Burns has established himself as a reliable batter with a strong record. In T20 cricket, he has scored 211 runs in five matches for Italy, averaging 42.20.
Italy's Ambitions
With Burns at the helm, Italy has set its sights on securing a spot in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The team will compete in the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final, hoping to impress and earn a place in the prestigious tournament.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Why has Joe Burns chosen to captain Italy? A1: Burns is eligible to play for Italy through his mother's nationality, and he believes in the team's potential to succeed.
Q2: What are Italy's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup? A2: Italy has a strong chance of qualifying with Burns' leadership and experience. The team has shown signs of improvement in recent years.
Q3: What are Burns' goals as captain? A3: Burns aims to lead Italy to success in T20 cricket, including qualification for the World Cup. He also wants to inspire and develop young Italian cricketers.
Q4: Has any other Australian cricketer captained an international team outside of Australia? A4: Yes, Adam Voges captained Bangladesh's T20I team from 2016 to 2019.
Q5: What are the strengths of the Italian T20I team? A5: Italy possesses several strengths, including a balanced batting lineup, a competitive bowling attack, and a passionate fanbase.
Bayer Leverkusen produces a dominant performance, led by Patrik Schick's four goals, to defeat Freiburg 5-1 and close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. The game was played under a somber atmosphere with players and fans paying tribute to the victims of the recent car attack in Magdeburg. Florian Wirtz, who missed a penalty earlier in the game, also played a crucial role in Leverkusen's victory with two assists. Schick's clinical finishing and Wirtz's creativity proved to be too much for Freiburg's keeper, Noah Atubolo, who had a good game despite conceding five goals.
Despite Manchester City's struggles in recent matches, manager Pep Guardiola remains optimistic about their chances of regaining their confidence and climbing the league table. A late goal from Phil Foden was not enough for City to avoid a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery. This defeat has also brought attention to the decrease in goal-scoring form of striker Erling Haaland, who believes he and the team need to do better. However, Haaland remains confident in Guardiola to lead them to success.
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has been issued an arrest warrant by a regional PF commissioner in connection with an alleged PF scam. Uthappa, who was reportedly overseeing the management of a lifestyle brand, has been accused of deducting PF contributions from employee salaries but failing to deposit the funds. However, Uthappa has denied any executive involvement in the operations and clarified that his role was limited.
Atletico Madrid came back from a goal down to defeat Barcelona 2-1 and claim top spot in La Liga on Saturday. Barcelona, who have been struggling in recent weeks, once again stumbled and suffered their third consecutive home league defeat. Atletico, on the other hand, claimed their 12th consecutive victory across all competitions under the leadership of Diego Simeone. With Real Madrid set to face Sevilla on Sunday, the title race in Spain is heating up.
Bayer Leverkusen ended 2024 on a high note, with a resounding 5-1 win against SC Freiburg. Striker Patrik Schick was the star of the match, scoring four goals to lead his team to their eighth consecutive victory. The win keeps Leverkusen in second place in the Bundesliga standings, only four points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Freiburg remains in the middle of the table as they head into the winter break.
After a disappointing performance against Atlético Madrid, the pressure is on for Barcelona's veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. Fans are now calling on head coach Hansi Flick to bench the Polish international for the team's upcoming matches to try and revive their form. Will Flick listen to the pleas of the fans and make a change to the first-choice XI? Only time will tell.
Despite being touted as the man to turn things around at Barcelona, manager Hansi Flick has failed to deliver so far. After losing to Atlético Madrid in yet another underwhelming performance, Barcelona have slipped further behind in the title race. With just one win in their last seven league matches, Flick's side is struggling to keep up with their rivals, a far cry from the success they achieved under former manager Xavi Hernández. As the season reaches its halfway point, Barcelona find themselves with just 38 points, three fewer than they had at this stage last year under Hernández.
The long-awaited rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is finally happening on Saturday, and the anticipation is through the roof. Both boxers are expected to make their ringwalks around 10pm, and the event will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports Box Office. Fans have multiple ways to book the fight, making this a must-watch event for all boxing enthusiasts.
Atletico Madrid staged a thrilling comeback against Barcelona to secure a 2-1 victory and move three points clear at the top of the LaLiga standings. Despite Barcelona taking the lead through Pedri, Atletico bounced back in the second half with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth. This was Atletico's first away win against Barcelona in the league and their 12th consecutive victory across all competitions. With Real Madrid set to face Sevilla on Sunday, Atletico now have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table.
After an 11-month goal drought in the Premier League, Gabriel Jesus scored a brace against Crystal Palace to solidify his place in the Arsenal squad. With five goals in two games, the former Manchester City striker has proven his worth in the title race and is ready for more opportunities. His versatility and ability to play as a number nine adds a new dimension to Arsenal's attack and gives manager Mikel Arteta a strong attacking option. With a renewed confidence and smile on his face, Jesus' message to Arteta is loud and clear - he's here to stay and make a significant impact.