Like many Australians who dominated domestic cricket, dashing opener Michael Di Venuto had only minimal chances to shine at international level.

In March, when the 38-year-old with 24,909 first-class runs plays for Italy at the World Twenty20 qualifier in the United Arab Emirates, that will change.

The left-hander represented Australia in nine one-day internationals, all of them in 1997 and most of them aged 23 with no shortage of potential.

He averaged almost 30, even crafted a score of 89, but was dumped from the side and with Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh at the top of their game, could never again attract the national selectors’ attention.

Fast forward 15 years and a different country’s hopes of reaching the ICC’s Twenty20 showpiece, which will be held in Sri Lanka this year, rest largely with him.

It will be the first time Di Venuto plays for the European nation, but his connection to the Italian Cricket Federation (ICF) goes beyond an Italian passport.

“There is a deep and long-standing relationship between the Federazione and the Di Venuto family,” ICF president Simone Gambino wrote in an email to AAP.

“Peter, Michael’s older brother, played for Italy in 2000 and 2002 at European Championships.

“He also ran the Italian cricket academy in Hobart from 2002 to 2004 and later in Melbourne when he moved there to coach Carlton.

“Consequently, we were always in touch with Michael and now that there is a chance to play for Italy that does not conflict with his professional commitments, we are delighted to have him with us … only an injury can prevent Michael being in the final squad.”

Di Venuto works as an assistant coach with Cricket Tasmania and is still playing grade cricket with North Hobart.

He was the only member of Tasmania’s breakthrough 2006-07 Sheffield Shield triumph to have played in all three of the Tigers’ lost deciders.

He retired from state cricket in Australia at the end of the 2007-08 season, but continued to plunder runs with English county side Durham.

Di Venuto will link up with former South Australia allrounder Joe Scuderi, who is coaching Italy.

Former Victorian under-19 allrounder Peter Petricola and former West Australian under-19 wicketkeeper Hayden Patrizi are also likely to feature prominently for the Italians.

Italy will be one of sixteen nations competing for two spots at the World T20.

The winner of the qualifying tournament will be pooled with Australia and West Indies, while the other finalist will be in a group with defending champions England and 2007 winners India.