India, Feb. 9 -- Italy may be debutants at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 but their experienced skipper Wayne Madsen insists they are not there to 'make up the numbers'.

The Azzurri are four-time winners of football's World Cup while the nation is currently hosting the Winter Olympics but Madsen hopes their band of brothers - literally, in the case of four of their 15-man squad - can help cricket gain traction.

The 42-year-old took on the captaincy reins when Joe Burns was dropped prior to the tournament and is appearing in a World Cup for the second time in a second sport, having represented South Africa at hockey's equivalent 20 years ago.

Two decades on, he is gearing up to lead Italy into their brave new world and the signs are p...