Thomas Draca has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in European cricket. The Sydney-born fast bowler, mentored by Dennis Lillee, is already making history for Italy. While he didn’t make the final shortlist for the IPL 2025 auction, Thomas Draca had already etched his name in the record books by being the first Italian cricketer to register for the IPL.
The bigger achievement, though, came in July 2025, when Thomas Jack Draca helped Italy qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. It will be Italy’s first-ever appearance in any cricket World Cup. The team sealed qualification at the Europe Regional Qualifiers, sneaking past Jersey on net run rate despite losing their last game to the Netherlands. A crucial 12-run win over Scotland, a team that has been a World Cup regular, played a defining role in Italy’s historic rise.
The Coach is Proud
Italy’s assistant coach Kevin O’Brien, who once starred in Ireland’s 2007 World Cup run, said the achievement reminded him of Ireland’s own breakthrough. “It’s absolutely amazing for me as a relatively new coach,” O’Brien told ESPNcricinfo.
“I am still finding my feet in the coaching world, but I am glad to be able to help players achieve something that not many would have thought they would.” His words echoed the excitement in the Italian camp, where belief is starting to match ambition.
What’s Next For Thomas Draca?
For Thomas Jack Draca, the IPL dream remains alive. He admitted that it was his agent who pushed him to register for the IPL 2025 auction, shortly after signing with MI Emirates in the ILT20. “It was actually my agent who contacted me and said, Do you want to give it a crack?” Draca told Cricket.com. His growing reputation had already been boosted by an impressive stint at the Global T20 Canada 2024, where he claimed 11 wickets for Brampton Wolves at an economy of 6.88, dismissing big names like Sunil Narine.
Thomas Jack Draca’s performances have made him one of Italy’s key weapons ahead of the World Cup. On social media, Thomas Draca’s Instagram posts have kept fans updated, most recently about his ILT20 commitments, also known as the DP World ILT20. That tournament, sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board, has provided him with the perfect platform to showcase his skills against elite opposition.
Even though Thomas Draca’s IPL 2024 dreams didn’t fully materialize, his story is shaping Italy’s cricketing future by becoming the first Italian cricket player to enter the IPL 2025 auction. With Kevin O’Brien guiding the team as assistant coach and captain Joe Burns determined to prepare Italy for the big stage, there’s growing belief that the Azzurri could spring more surprises. Burns summed it up best: “I don’t care if we’re playing Luxembourg in the first Sub-Regional game or India in a World Cup Final. I just want us to be the most prepared team in world cricket.”
Will the Azzurri Rise Against the Odds?
The bowling looks promising, led by Draca, but batting remains a concern. The question is, with Thomas Draca leading the charge, will Italy have enough firepower to challenge European heavyweights like the Netherlands and Scotland at the 2026 World Cup? I guess we will have to wait and watch.
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