John Davison appointed Italy's T20 coach ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

John Davison, the former captain of Canada, has been appointed as the head coach of Italy's T20I team in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Italy will compete in the European Regional Finals in the Netherlands this June, aiming to secure one of two qualifying spots against teams including the Netherlands, Scotland, Guernsey, and Jersey. Davison expressed his enthusiasm for the role, citing his previous experience in World Cup qualification with Canada as motivation to lead Italy's diverse squad. He will collaborate closely with Italy's new captain, Joe Burns, who became eligible through his Italian heritage and aims to contribute to the growth of Italian cricket. The squad also features players like Ben and Harry Manenti, with others awaiting eligibility approval. Davison's coaching background includes mentoring prominent Australian spinners, enhancing his credentials for this new challenge.