Representing italy

Two World Cups: When Wayne Madsen takes the field at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 9, he will inscribe his name in the history books for more than one reason. Apart from being the captain of Italy playing its first-ever cricket World Cup match against fellow European nation Scotland, Madsen will join a select list of athletes who have featured in World Cups in two different sports.

But in Madsen's case, it will also be for different nations. Back in 2006, Madsen played in the Hockey World Cup for South Africa in Monchengladbach, Germany. Twenty years on, he will hold a cricket bat instead of a hockey stick when he dons Italy's blue jersey in the Men’s T20 World Cup.

None would have pictured this in their wildest dreams - not even those who believe in the stuff of fantasy. Italy, a football-crazy nation with a rich history, could end up missing the bus to the FIFA World Cup in a year in which its much lesser-celebrated cricket team makes its debut on the biggest stage in the shortest format, though the football side still has to clear the European playoffs.