Former Australian opener Joe Burns has recently announced that he will be seen playing for the Italian national cricket team to pay tribute to his late brother Dominic. Let us tell you, Joe Burns lost his state contract with Queensland for the 2024-25 season.

Joe Burns’ brother Dominic passed away tragically in February this year. To pay tribute to his late brother, Joe Burns will be seen wearing jersey number 85. Joe Burns himself announced this on his official social media account.

Joe Burns wrote on Instagram while announcing his decision to move to Italy, ‘It’s not just a number and it’s not just a jersey. It’s for the people I know will be looking down from the sky and being proud. My brother passed away in February this year. The last team my brother played for (North Federals in sub-districts) his jersey number was 85 (it’s also the year he was born).

The days, weeks and months following my brother’s death have been the hardest I could have ever imagined. I am not proud to admit that in this daily battle I often lose. I feel a part of my soul is gone forever. I know this shirt will carry forward my sense of respect for him and give me strength. The hours of playing and bonding with him taught me to love this game.’

Here is Joe Burns’ Instagram post:

Joe Burns has played 23 Test matches and 6 ODIs for Australia in which he scored 1442 runs and 146 runs respectively. Let us tell you, Joe Burns has four Test centuries and eight half-centuries to his name. His performance has also been very good in Australian domestic cricket. Joe Burns will now be a part of the Italy team for the Sub Regional Qualifier.

The Italian cricket team will also be very happy that the experienced batsman will now be seen playing for their team. This brilliant cricketer has always performed very well in international cricket and now he will definitely want to leave his mark once again.