Joe Burns axed as Italy captain and dropped ahead of maiden T20 World Cup

The 36-year-old Burns, who played 23 Tests for Australia, led Italy in the World Cup qualifiers where they secured a place at the global tournament with wins over Guernsey and Scotland.

The Italian Cricket Federation (FCRI) have subsequently announced Wayne Madsen, the veteran Derbyshire batter, as captain for a series against Ireland and the T20 World Cup.

The board did not give an official reason for Burns' axing but said in a statement the decision "responds to the need to ensure stability, harmony, and continuity for the team, elements deemed to be priorities over short-term objectives".

"Although preliminary exchanges of availability took place in recent weeks, a full agreement was never reached and, consequently, a formal contract was not signed," the FRCI statement added.

Burns played eight T20Is for Italy, hitting a century and one fifty while averaging 45 with a strike rate of nearly 140.

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