From Sydney to the World Stage: The Mosca Brothers' Italian Cricket Dream
Life has taken a truly extraordinary turn for Australian-born brothers Justin and Anthony Mosca. In a remarkable feat that has captured the attention of both cricketing circles and a nation more accustomed to footballing triumphs, the Mosca siblings are proudly representing Italy at the prestigious T20 World Cup. Their journey is not just about runs and wickets; it's a compelling narrative of heritage, passion, and the burgeoning growth of cricket in a country where the sport is still finding its footing.
A World Cup Debut and Celebrity Encounters
The lead-up to this historic tournament has been nothing short of surreal for the Mosca brothers. Messages of good luck from Italian footballing icons Andrea Pirlo and Christian Vieri set the stage, but the surprises continued. "In our prep before coming here we were in Dubai and actually bumped into Mario Balotelli and Paolo Maldini at the airport," reveals Justin, the younger of the two at 31. "I know Christian Vieri is aware of cricket, and just to even be in any of their company has been amazing." Justin has even taken to growing his hair, inspired by the legendary Maldini's iconic look.
While Italy's footballing giants might not all be avid cricket followers, the nation's sporting consciousness has undeniably been piqued. Italy's resounding 10-wicket victory over Nepal on Thursday was a seismic event, earning praise from the esteemed Italian sports newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, which described it as "a result that enters the anthology of our sport." This triumph occurred even amidst the buzz of the ongoing Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting the significant impact cricket is starting to make.
Singing Bocelli and Building a Cricket Community
The team's celebratory spirit in Mumbai has been as vibrant as their on-field performance. One particular highlight mentioned by the brothers is their rendition of Andrea Bocelli's 'Perfect Symphony' (his collaboration with Ed Sheeran) on the team bus. "Obviously, Ed Sheeran's a legend and then when the Italian version came on, into that second verse, it was like 'wow, this is amazing'," shares Anthony, 34. "I'm pretty sure Andrea Bocelli follows cricket so if he does I might have to send him a message just asking for a couple of tickets!"
The significance of these victories for the growth of cricket in Italy is not lost on the Mosca brothers. "[The win is] obviously something small that can increase Italy's cricket community and getting onto a bigger stage," Anthony, who works as a carpenter, explains. "Like I've said many times before, Italy is such a passionate country with everything they do so with a bit more eyes on the game hopefully it expands a bit more for us." This sentiment is particularly poignant given that Italy currently lacks a dedicated grass cricket pitch, making their achievements even more remarkable.
Addressing Heritage and Forging Identity
The Italian squad, like many international teams, boasts players who qualify through Italian heritage. While some have faced occasional criticism regarding their connection to Italy, five members of the 15-man squad live and have been raised in Italy. The remainder, including the Sydney-born Mosca brothers, qualify through their Italian ancestry. This situation mirrors that of other nations; for instance, England has fielded players raised in Barbados in this World Cup.
Anthony fondly recalls his upbringing in Sydney: "On our street there was a lot of Italians there and we always had a lot of functions. Our cousins would come over and we'd be watching the football. We'd walk around with Italian jerseys and we'd go to Italian restaurants and have coffees. On the other end we would be having a VB [Victoria Bitter beer] or we'd be watching cricket and the Boxing Day Test." He humorously adds, "I reckon 99% of us use our hands a lot when we talk. If we're having a disagreement with each other or something, then there are hands waving everywhere."
Justin, who works as a teacher, acknowledges the external commentary but remains steadfast: "A lot of the boys that live there have sacrificed so much for a better life and they've grown there - they've learnt their trade through Italy. That doesn't seem to get highlighted as much but at the end of the day in our circle we know our heritage, our culture, we know where we're from so that's all that matters."
Looking Ahead: Facing England and Beyond
With a crucial match against cricketing powerhouse England on the horizon, the Mosca brothers and the Italian team are embracing the challenge. Their impressive performances have already put Italy on the T20 World Cup map, and their journey is far from over. As they continue to play with passion and pride, Justin and Anthony Mosca are not just cricketers; they are ambassadors for a sport striving for greater recognition in a new and exciting landscape.
