The three match T20I series between England and Australia is tied now, but Liam Livingstone has marked his arrival. A good all-round game in Southampton was followed by a match-winning 87 in Cardiff as England beat Australia in the crucial second of three T20I games.
Jacob Bethell’s Crucial 44 Off 24 Balls
Off Livingstone, Jacob Bethell had an excellent first week, racing to 44 off 24 balls. The two combined for an important 90-run partnership in just eight overs to set up the platform for England’s ultimately comfortable chase of a testing 194. If Bethell dished out some particularly harsh treatment to Adam Zampa, taking 20 off an over from him, Livingstone was the standout performer.
Liam Livingstone: Match Winner For England
Dropped from the 50-over squad, the 31-year-old has grasped an opportunity to prove his worth in this series, playing a far more responsible role at No 4. There were audacious shots in Livingstone’s innings – off Cameron Green mainly – and back-to-back sixes off Marcus Stoinis, but there was also the patience and skill required to keep running hard for singles as wickets fell around him.
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😮💨 @LiamL4893 👏
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 13, 2024
Match Centre: https://t.co/zd6mj52hLC
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Though Livingstone was dismissed with the scores level, his contribution was of essence. Matt Short’s off-spinners fetched him five wickets, while Adil Rashid’s single, helped England get the better result. Livingstone’s 87 off 47 balls, and Bethell’s 44 saw England chase down the target with six balls to spare levelling the series at 1-1. The final T20I will be played on Sunday in Manchester.
England Skipper Phil Salt Praises Livingstone
“We know how good they are at the top of the order so we’ll have to go back to our plans. I knew we’d have to play well to reach that target.”
“We know what Livi is capable of, he was brilliant, and we were really impressed with the way Jacob took their best bowler down. He’s a real talent.”
“Liam’s started really well in this series and hopefully he takes that form to Old Trafford.” Phil Salt said, as quoted by The Guardian
‘I Am Enjoying My Cricket’: Says Livingstone
“It’s been nice. I did say towards the end of The Hundred that I felt like I was getting my body back to normal, which hasn’t been the case for a while. The last couple of years have taught me a few life lessons. I’m enjoying my cricket and playing with a smile on my face.”
“It’s not easy coming in at No6 and No7. I’m not complain, I’m not gonna cry about it. But moving up the order is nice, it gives me more responsbility and more time to bat. I feel like I’m in decent nick with bat and ball. After a couple of difficult years I’m enjoying my cricket.” as quoted by The Guardian
“Jacob Bethell is an incredible talent but he’s got a really cool head on his shoulders. He’s a fearless kid. For a 20-year-old to play like he did today was pretty special.”
“It was a big game. I wanted to go to Old Trafford at 1-1, and hopefully the crowd will get behind us.”
England Vs Australia- Series Levelled by 1-1
Australia, therefore, had set the target of 194 runs. Livingstone’s second T20I half-century, in his 50th match for the team, anchored the England innings along with Phil Salt’s aggressive 39 off 23 balls. It was an essential partnership by Livingstone and Bethell that saw England go all the way in what was a nail-biting finish after a tricky middle period when the team was placed at 79/3.
That winning feeling 🙌
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 13, 2024
Full highlights: https://t.co/IzT4gRjS9d
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Australia was captained by Travis Head in the absence of the ill Mitchell Marsh, eventually reached a total of 193/6. Head himself, for his first game as captain, was caught behind off Brydon Carse after racing to 31 off 14 balls. Jake Fraser-McGurk also had an exciting time in the middle as he made his maiden T20I half-century with 50 off 31 balls before being holed out by Jamie Overton off a Livingstone delivery.
The last T20I will be played on Sunday, September 15 in Manchester, it will also be the deciding match as to who’ll clinch the series.
