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

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

Liam Livingstone believes he can use promotion to England’s T20I squad to make his case for a return to their ODIs. England have used Livingstone as an all-rounder in each of the last three T20 World Cups but he made 37 from No.4 in their loss to Australia at the Utilita Bowl on Wednesday night, having previously taken 3 for 22 with his legbreaks.

Along with Sam Curran, Livingstone was one of two points left out of England’s squad for the five-match ODI series starting next Thursday, losing his place to Jacob Bethell. Livingstone said he had been told he had been dumped by Rob Key – “good old news, bad news” – in a brief phone call, and was unsure how to find his replacement.

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.”

Livingstone’s success as an international cricketer was remarkable. Recalled from the T20I side after a four-year absence, he was the undoubted star of the English summer of 2021, scoring a 42-ball century against Pakistan and launching Haris Rauf’s 117-metre straight six at Headingley. He also became the first Hundred MVP, and impressed in the 2022 IPL.

But since then he has faded, and he is playing for his future in the world this week. If England’s Test batsmen were available for this series – including Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith – then Livingstone’s place in the side would be in jeopardy. Instead, he was promoted to No. 4 and was their best player on Wednesday night.

Livingstone has always blamed injuries for his outings, having sprained his ankle to prepare for the 2022 T20 World Cup and injured his knee in the opening Test weeks after the final. Now he’s healthy: “I can run around 100 percent in the field and I can throw and hit with all my strength, which I probably couldn’t do two and a half times. years.”

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.”

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