Italy arrive at their maiden World Cup with confidence and challenges

Snapshot

Italy's historic qualification for their first ever ICC pinnacle event made headlines around the world last summer, but came as no surprise to dedicated watchers of cricket on the European mainland. The achievement is the culmination of a project begun some five years ago, spearheaded by county veteran Gareth Berg, to combine strength of the country's small but dedicated local scene with the wealth of talent in the Italian diaspora. Berg himself stepped aside before reaching the World Cup promised land after Italy came up just short in their qualification push last cycle, finishing runners-up behind Ireland and Scotland at the 2023 European regional final. Italy have lost a second Moses since, with new captain Joe Burns, having led the Italians unbeaten through a home Sub-Regional Qualifier and then on to claim the second berth at the Regional Finals in the Netherlands, parting ways with the side ahead of the tournament itself.

The foundations laid under Berg and Burns look solid however, the experienced Wayne Madsen taking over the captaincy and leading the side to their first win over a full member, besting Ireland in the final match of their preparatory series in the UAE. Warm-up wins since over Namibia and Canada underline how the undertaking Berg began has transformed the Azzuri into genuine short-form contenders.

The squad, and what it tells us

Wayne Madsen (c), Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Ben Manenti, Harry Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade(wk), Grant Stewart, Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Syed Naqvi, Jaspreet Singh.

Despite the high-profile departure of their captain and abundant speculation around potentially eligible debutants ahead of the tournament, Italy's selection shows more continuity than change ahead of their major-tournament debut. Core of the group has been together for two cycles, a batting card built around the brothers Mosca and Manenti, with Madsen, Marcus Campopiano and keeper Jian-Piero Meade filling out what remains - despite Burn's departure and the loss of Emilio Gay to an ill-timed hamstring injury - an enviable batting roster.

Stalwart Grant Stewart leads a largely locally-produced seam attack, while the sole new name in the fifteen is all-rounder JJ Smuts, the former South Africa u19 left-armer filling a marked gap in the slow-bowling section. While Ben Manenti can be relied on for four overs of solid offspin and Crishan Kalugamage offers a leg-spin option, the squad still looks a little light on slow bowling.

The road to the World Cup

Italy's road to the World Cup has been the longest of any of the competing sides, one of only two sides (along with Zimbabwe) to come up all the way from the base of the qualifying ladder. They sailed through their home Sub-Regional Qualifier unbeaten back in the summer of 2024, looking a cut above the competition there. They had a tougher time at the regional finals the following summer, but comfortably besting Guernsey and a famous victory over Scotland were enough to ensure they pipped Jersey to the post on net run rate. An extended warm-up camp at Dubai was capped off with a historic win over Ireland, and Italy look well set to add to their list of famous wins.

Last five T20Is: W-L-L-L-W

The way they play

Boasting a star-studded coaching rosted featuring John Davison, Kevin O'Brien, Dougie Brown and Michael di Venuto, Italy's bat-heavy line-up rather matches their back room. Even in the absence of Burns and Gay, batting is unquestionably their chief strength. Their top six is replete with List A and First Class experience, and even down the order Grant Stewart has proved a belligerent hitter of late. Questions persist around the bowling however, and it's notable that Italy have not defended a sub-150 score since 2021. The addition of Smuts goes some way toward addressing that concern, and the left-arm spinner has been a stand-out with the ball for them. While Ben Manenti has plenty of top-level experience, the subcontinent will be a novel challenge for him, much like the rest of the side .

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

While Italy will be banking on their top order to supply the bulk of their runs, it's been Grant Stewart down the order that's provided the fireworks in recent games, regularly clearing the ropes down the order. He'll have a crucial role to play with ball in hand too, but shifting the momentum with the willow may become a habit.

Scheduling

Italy will play all but one of their four games at Eden Gardens, but will be at a slight disadvantage in their first two fixtures against fellow Associates Scotland and Nepal, with the Scots having an early fixture against the Windies to get a look at conditions in Kolkata, while Nepal will have had a match to acclimatise in Mumbai. Those will doubtless be the games the Azzurri will target, hoping to set up an eliminator in their final match with all the pressure on the Windies.

Banana peel fixture:

Italy may feel they have the measure of the Scots now, though overconfidence may creep in there. The real danger game will come against Nepal however, the Ghorkhali being unfamiliar to most of the squad and currently in ominous form.

What a good World Cup looks like

While the very fact of their World Cup debut already makes the cycle an unquestionable success for the Italians, the Azzurri have too much big stage experience on staff to be content ending up as mere also-rans. A win over more established Associates on the world stage should be within their grasp, but a run to the Super 8s is probably too big an ask at first attempt, though if neutral results fall their way it's not entirely out of the question.