by Liam Livingstone savoured his “best” innings for England after backstopping a T20 series equaliser against Australia in Cardiff with an impressive 87 from 47 deliveries.
The Cumbrian all-rounder has struggled to deal with his form and fitness issues for long periods since a golden summer three years ago when he hit the fastest T20 century by an Englishman in a losing cause against Pakistan.
Returning to cricket pain-free, Livingstone followed up by taking two for 16 from three overs to lead England to the brink of chasing 194 with only his third 50-plus score in his 50th T20 appearance.
Despite being annoyed at being out with the scores tied, England managed to cruise home with three wickets and six balls to spare in the second T20 to set up a winner-take-all showdown at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday.
“I’m still a bit annoyed,” Livingstone said. “I’ve done it a few times in the last few weeks. I don’t know if it’s a lack of concentration. But it was a game to win with eight balls.
“I think I played better against Pakistan, I hit the ball better. But I don’t really care about scoring runs in defeats, what matters is winning matches.
“I want to win games for England and I feel like I’ve achieved that here. I’d pick a player who scored the first goal to win the game, so it’s probably the best game I’ve ever played.
“I enjoy playing cricket. I’ve been through some tough times over the last two and a half years so it’s nice to enjoy it.”
Livingstone got off to a shaky start, beaten on the outside edge first before surviving Australia’s review for lbw in an over where Sean Abbott trapped Will Jacks and Jordan Cox in three balls.
He got revenge with three fours in an over off Abbott, but a T20 tussle swung Australia’s way when stand-in captain Phil Salt was bowled by part-time spinner Matthew Short’s attack.
With 104 runs required from the last 10 overs, Livingstone made 90 from 47 deliveries with Jacob Bethell contributing 44 from 24 balls in only his second international appearance.
While Livingstone received the applause after hitting five sixes and six fours, Bethell showed his potential by bowling Adam Zampa, hitting Australia’s top spinner for 20 in five balls.
With 25 runs needed off the last four overs, Bethell was run out attempting a reverse sweep before Sam Curran managed to get in, both off Short, who had previously taken only two international wickets but had made his first professional five-for when Livingstone was cast and Brydon Carse was struck thoughtlessly in the air.
Adil Rashid rushed in to score the single England needed after Livingstone had broken the back of the chase, helped by Bethell, his Birmingham Phoenix team-mate in The Hundred.
“He played magnificently,” Livingstone added of Bethell. “That over (against Zampa) was the real turning point. He’s an incredible talent, for a 20-year-old kid.
“For a 20-year-old boy to beat one of the best bowlers in white-ball cricket in the last two years just shows what he has got.
“As an England player it’s great to have someone like that in our team, but as an England fan, for the next 10 to 15 years we have an incredible talent on our hands.”
Australia made 193 for six, reaching 67 for one in the Powerplay as they added 60 in the last five overs, with Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 50 his maiden international half-century.
Just a fortnight after returning to professional cricket following a three-month ban for historic betting breaches, Carse impressed with two for 26 in which he exceeded 90mph.
Livingstone, who was dropped from England’s ODI squad to face Australia this month, was the pick of the bowlers but curiously did not complete his allotment of four overs for the second successive match.
“Salty keeps bowling me in the 11th over, I can’t really bowl four in a row,” Livingstone said with a smile. “But listen, we’ve got a lot of options, which we’re proud of.
“It’s coming out of my hand really well so far. Maybe I’ll be in Salt’s ear a little earlier on Sunday.”
