Italy’s debut in a senior ICC global tournament ended in defeat on Monday, as they lost to Scotland in their opening match of the T20 World Cup qualifying round. The result came despite the presence of former South African international JJ Smuts in their lineup, a player who, remarkably, has never visited Italy.
Smuts, who represented South Africa in six One Day Internationals and 16 T20 Internationals between 2017 and 2021, was named in the 15-member Italian squad for the tournament on January 18, 2026. His inclusion is tied to his marriage, allowing him to play for Italy despite having no prior connection to the country. The Italian Cricket Federation confirmed the squad late Thursday, appointing Wayne Madsen as captain in place of Joe Burns, who had captained the side during the qualification phase.
The composition of the Italian squad has raised eyebrows, as none of the 15 players were born in Italy and fluency in the Italian language is limited. Several players qualify through ancestry, holding Italian passports or possessing relatives with Italian heritage. This approach by the Italian Cricket Federation, prioritizing players with Italian connections over developing homegrown talent, has drawn criticism from some observers.
“People can have their opinion but we’ve got a real togetherness,” said captain Wayne Madsen before the match against Scotland. Madsen, a 42-year-old South African-born batter and club captain at Derbyshire, brings extensive experience from domestic leagues around the globe. He emphasized the unique bond within the team, forged through the diverse backgrounds and journeys of its members.
“That heritage and the journeys that guys have gone on to get here, there’s a bond which is pretty hard to describe outside of the feeling that we get as a group,” Madsen stated. “It really is probably our biggest strength. Everyone’s got a story to notify in terms of how they got to this position and everyone’s is unique. Whether it is guys who have grown up in Italy or guys with grandparents who moved away many years ago. We’ve had some really powerful conversations, it has really bonded us.”
Italy secured their place in the T20 World Cup by finishing second in the European qualifiers, behind the Netherlands. The tournament, being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, runs from February 7 to March 8. For Madsen and his team, success in the tournament extends beyond the pitch, aiming to establish a lasting legacy and foster the growth of cricket within Italy.
“We want to win games and we understand and believe that You can. If we can finish in the top eight, that’ll change the lives of a lot of our cricketers and place Italian cricket on the map,” Madsen said. “I think for us, the main thing is leaving a legacy in Italy and the platform to develop the game further in the country.”
During Monday’s match against Scotland, Madsen dislocated his shoulder, adding to the challenges faced by the Italian team. The Italian Cricket Federation has not yet commented on the severity of Madsen’s injury or potential replacements.
