ROME — In a bustling pizzeria in the heart of Rome, the scent of wood-fired dough and simmering tomato sauce fills the air. Behind the counter, a man expertly stretches a base, his hands moving with a rhythm born of years of practice. But these are not just the hands of a chef; they are the hands of a cricketer. This is Gareth Berg, the 43-year-old pizza chef and captain of the Italian national cricket team, who is hoping to lead his adopted nation onto the global stage at the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.
Italy’s qualification for their first-ever ICC global tournament is a story woven from threads of diaspora, passion, and improbable dreams. Many of the Azzurri’s key players, like Berg himself, were born and raised thousands of miles from the Colosseum. Berg is a South African-Italian dual national, while others hail from cricket-loving nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Their journey to the World Cup is a testament to the modern, global face of a sport finding unlikely roots in the home of calcio.
A Team Forged from the Diaspora
The Italian Cricket Federation (FIGC) has astutely tapped into the country’s extensive expatriate communities. The squad is a vibrant mosaic, with players qualifying through heritage or residency. Captain Berg’s journey is emblematic. A former county cricketer in England with Northamptonshire and Hampshire, he moved to Italy for family reasons, fell in love with the country, and now balances running a restaurant with leading the national side. “It’s been an incredible journey,” he reflects.
The team’s composition presents unique challenges and opportunities. Building cohesion and a shared identity is paramount. Coach Franklyn "Frankie" Thomas, a former West Indies A player, has focused on forging a unified "Italian" spirit. “We have guys from all over the world, but the moment they put on that blue jersey, they are playing for Italy,” Thomas states. “Our motto is ‘Uniti per vincere’ – United to win.”
From Pizza Ovens to the World Stage
For players like Berg, cricket is a labor of love pursued alongside demanding day jobs. The realities of being a semi-professional team in a non-traditional cricketing nation are stark:
- Balancing Acts: Training sessions are held in the evenings and on weekends, often on matting wickets in public parks or at the few dedicated grounds in cities like Rome and Bologna.
- Financial Reality: Most players are not full-time athletes. They are chefs, students, engineers, and businessmen who use annual leave to play in qualifying tournaments.
- Logistical Hurdles: Getting the entire squad together for training camps is a complex puzzle of coordinating work schedules and travel from across Italy and beyond.
Yet, this shared sacrifice has bred a powerful camaraderie. All-rounder Grant Stewart, born in England but qualifying through an Italian grandmother, captures the sentiment: “We’re not here because it’s a career. We’re here because we love cricket and we’re proud to represent Italy. That passion is our fuel.”
The Road to Qualification
Italy’s path to the World Cup was a nail-biting triumph of grit. They secured their historic berth by winning the European Qualifier in Scotland in July 2023, defeating hosts Scotland in a dramatic final. Key to their success were players like:
- Jaspreet Singh: The hard-hitting batsman, born in India, was the tournament's leading run-scorer, providing explosive starts.
- Harry Manenti: The South African-born spin-bowling all-rounder, whose crucial wickets and lower-order runs were instrumental.
- Gian-Piero Meade: One of the few native Italians in the squad, a symbol of the homegrown talent the federation hopes to inspire.
The final victory was a moment of pure, unbridled joy. “Seeing grown men cry after we won, it was something special,” recalls coach Thomas. “For these guys, who have given so much while working jobs and raising families, it was validation. It proved that a team of part-timers with huge hearts could achieve something monumental.”
Aiming to Make Noise at the World Cup
Drawn in Group B for the first round of the T20 World Cup, Italy faces a daunting task. They will play against hosts the West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea. While they are undeniable underdogs, the team is not going just to make up the numbers. Their goals are clear:
- Competitive Spirit: To play fearless cricket and challenge every opponent.
- Signature Moment: To secure at least one victory on the world stage, which would be a seismic result for Italian cricket.
- Inspiring a Nation: To capture the imagination of sports fans back home and plant the seed for future generations.
Captain Berg is realistic but optimistic. “We know the level is incredibly high. But in T20 cricket, on your day, anything can happen. We have players who can win games. If we field well, hold our nerve, and play our brand of cricket, we can cause an upset. That’s the beauty of this tournament.”
The Legacy Beyond the Boundary
Ultimately, Italy’s World Cup adventure is about more than wins and losses. It is a powerful marketing tool for a sport fighting for recognition in a football-dominated landscape. The FIGC hopes the global exposure will boost grassroots programs, attract funding, and convince young Italians that the cricket pitch can be a place for glory, too. “We want kids in Rome, Milan, and Naples to pick up a cricket bat and dream of playing for Italy at a World Cup,” says federation president Francesco Macri.
As Gareth Berg slides another perfect pizza into the oven, his mind might briefly drift to facing a 90mph delivery in Barbados or bowling to a world-class hitter in Guyana. He embodies the dual identity of this remarkable team: deeply rooted in the everyday life of Italy, yet now poised for a global sporting carnival. When Italy takes the field in the Caribbean sunshine, they will carry not just their own hopes, but the aspirations of every underdog and the fascinating, evolving story of global cricket itself. Their journey from pizzeria to pinnacle is a reminder that in sport, sometimes the most compelling teams are not forged in traditional academies, but in the melting pot of life, united by a shared, improbable dream.