Eng vs Aus, 1st T20I – Liam Livingstone accepts veteran status and aims for ODI comeback

England’s best white-ball players have yet to feature in their home 50-over competition, against the Hundred, and Livingstone has not played in the County Championship for two years. While he may feature in November’s ODI series in the Caribbean, with Test players unlikely, his chances of playing in February’s Champions Trophy may hinge on his T20 form.

“I don’t really know – that’s one of my challenges,” Livingstone said. “That’s why I’m happy that I got the chance to pass the law [in the T20Is]. I feel like I’ve shown over the last few weeks, maybe a month, that the longer I get to hit in games, the more likely I am to touch games.

“I feel like I’ve done that in 50-over cricket too: if you take away the World Cup, I feel like I’ve done that to the extreme. But it is: I’m 31, I’m not going to sit here and complain about not being selected. There’s a lot of cricket to be played around the world, and if I’m not involved in the things of ODI has many opportunities.

“I want to play as much cricket for England as I can. Unfortunately, I won’t be playing in ODIs but it’s still not something I’m giving up. I’ve had a tough couple of years. My body has probably thrown me a bit, and I’m probably not quite up to scratch physically, I’ve got a few niggles here and there.”

He was told he would get the No. 4 run in the series, a role he preferred to be a coach. “My thing is to make sure that I try to do as well as possible and give them a headache in the next series,” he said. “I don’t think you’ll see anyone who wants to hit the ground running.

“I want that job. I want to try and win cricket matches in England, and the more you go up the ranks, the more chances you have to do that. There are very few people who can play that role. [at No. 6] and sometimes you have to take it on the chin… [but] this is my chance to apply.”

At 31, Livingstone is the second oldest player in England’s squad for the series after Adil Rashid. “It sounds strange, but I feel really old in this group,” he said. “I have to direct the younger guys and push them a little bit. I enjoyed the job.

“There’s a new look, a new environment,” he added. “Things will change. That happens when you bring in new players, but especially when you bring in new coaches. Things felt different: it’s like a new beginning.”