That is fairly some turnaround for Liam Livingstone.
After initially being dropped by England for September’s one-day internationals in opposition to Australia, he now finds himself captaining his nation in opposition to West Indies in the identical format.
Jos Buttler’s calf damage – an ongoing subject meaning the common white-ball skipper has not performed an innings since June – has dominated him out of the three 50-over video games within the Caribbean, the primary of which takes place in Antigua on Thursday (6pm UK and Eire).
Due to this fact, Livingstone is on the wheel on a brief foundation. A Ruud van Nistelrooy determine, if you’ll, though as a Blackburn Rovers supporter he could want to be in comparison with Tony Parkes.
Harry Brook stood in for Buttler in the course of the Australia ODIs however has simply completed a Check sequence in Pakistan and is now making ready for one in New Zealand, so isn’t out within the Caribbean.
With England’s ODI squad for this project so inexperienced – 4 gamers (Jafer Chohan, Michael Pepper, John Turner and Dan Mousley) haven’t performed any worldwide cricket, whereas some others (together with Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox) so little – Livingstone was one of many few captaincy candidates, in all probability alongside batter Phil Salt and fellow all-rounder Sam Curran.
“It’s not every day someone tells you you’re going to be England captain. It’s an incredibly proud thing for me,” Livingstone, 31, stated after going from chopped to in cost in a matter of weeks.
“It’s my job as an experienced player to help these guys along and make them as comfortable as possible in this environment.
“I need the subsequent few video games to be a hell of a number of enjoyable, play some good cricket, win some video games after which hand the reins again to Jos.”
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Watch Livingstone’s T20 half-century in opposition to Australia
It was truly T20 worldwide cricket – the format by which he thumped England’s quickest hundred, off simply 42 balls, in opposition to Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2021 – that supplied Livingstone’s avenue again into the 50-over group.
Knocks of 37 from 27 balls after which 87 from 37 in T20s in opposition to Australia final month whereas batting at No 4, coupled with Buttler’s continued damage absence, noticed him added to the ODI group and he went on to play all 5 matches batting at No 6.
Round two geese and a rating of 13, he smoked an unbeaten 33 from 20 balls in Durham after which 67 from 27 at Lord’s, with these innings serving to England to victory on each events.
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Livingstone hit the quickest ODI half-century at Lord’s, from 25 balls, in opposition to Australia in September
‘I really feel like one of the best of me continues to be to return’
“Being left out is all part of professional sport. I sat down with Rob Key [managing director of men’s cricket], had a really honest conversation with him and said, ‘all I want is another opportunity and hopefully I can prove you wrong’.
“Within the sequence in opposition to Australia, I actually felt I did that. I am in a really completely different place to the place I used to be six or 12 months in the past, I really feel like a child, like I am nearly firstly of a brand new profession.
“I feel like the best of me is still to come.”
Livingstone has lived a weird England existence, typically batting in a decrease middle-order spot and charged with teeing off from ball one, whereas then serving as a part-time bowler round frontline spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, the latter of whom has now retired.
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Livingstone introduced out a football-inspired celebration after dismissing Australia’s Steve Smith this summer season
That has made it laborious for him to affect video games frequently however he desires an even bigger position now and will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not he strikes even increased up the batting order than No 6 in opposition to West Indies, with no Buttler, Brook, Ben Duckett or Jamie Smith.
Solely twice in his 30 ODIs has Livingstone batted above No 6. Solely twice has he confronted over 50 deliveries.
“I’ve always said I know I’m good enough to play for England but maybe I needed more responsibility than I was getting. I don’t think I got that for the last two years,” he added.
Livingstone is raring to take extra duty within the England aspect
“If you’re batting seven and only bowling a couple of overs a game it becomes quite a difficult role for someone who wants to be involved.
“I really feel I’ve labored a couple of issues out with my batting and had a extremely good finish to the summer season.
“Now I’m excited to get a bat back in my hand and prove that I’m a better player than someone who bats at seven. I believe I can do more damage if I face 60 balls rather than 20.”
West Indies vs England schedule (all occasions UK and Eire)
- First ODI: Antigua – Thursday October 31 (6pm)
- Second ODI: Antigua – Saturday November 2 (1.30pm)
- Third ODI: Barbados – Wednesday November 6 (6pm)
- First T20: Barbados – Saturday November 9 (8pm)
- Second T20: Barbados – Sunday November 10 (8pm)
- Third T20: St Lucia – Thursday November 14 (8pm)
- Fourth T20: St Lucia – Saturday November 16 (8pm)
- Fifth T20: St Lucia – Sunday November 17 (8pm)
Observe England’s white-ball tour of West Indies throughout Sky Sports activities‘ digital platforms with dwell blogs and studies.
