Cricket

Captain Liam Livingstone's maiden ODI century, coupled with a crucial 140-run partnership with Sam Curran, propelled England to a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in the second ODI at Bridgetown, Barbados. The triumph leveled the three-match series at 1-1.Livingstone, who had been touted as one of England's most promising talents, finally showcased his full potential with a masterful innings of 124 not out from 85 deliveries. His century, which included 12 fours and four sixes, was a testament to his growing maturity and confidence as a batsman.West Indies had set England a formidable target of 329 after Shai Hope's 117 anchored their innings. Phil Salt's 59 and Jacob Bethell's maiden ODI half-century provided a solid foundation for England's chase.However, it was Livingstone's partnership with Curran that proved decisive. The duo combined for 140 runs, with Curran contributing a valuable 52 from 50 balls. Livingstone's ability to control the chase and accelerate when necessary was particularly impressive.Despite the loss of wickets at regular intervals, England remained composed and never allowed the required run rate to get out of hand. Livingstone's calm and collected approach at the crease inspired his teammates and ultimately led to the victory.The match was not without its moments of drama. West Indies had England on the ropes at 176-4 in the 30th over, but Livingstone and Curran's partnership turned the tide in England's favor.The victory was a significant boost for England, who had lost the first ODI by eight wickets. It also highlighted the growing depth and talent within the English ODI squad.

England's white-ball team embarks on a fourth tour of the Caribbean in three years, seeking to continue their post-World Cup reboot under the impending influence of Brendon McCullum. Despite the absence of key multi-format players, this series presents an opportunity for the next generation to stake their claim in the Bazball era.Liam Livingstone, recently elevated to the captaincy, leads a squad featuring five potential ODI debutants, including Jordan Cox and Jafer Chohan. Established names like Sam Curran and Phil Salt will also be eager to prove their worth in the absence of Jos Buttler and Harry Brook.West Indies, with their proud home record against England, will pose a formidable challenge. Led by Evin Lewis, who recently returned to form with a match-winning century, and the pace prowess of Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, they have the firepower to blunt England's aggressive batting.The series will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua, where West Indies have won five of their last six matches. However, England will be buoyed by their recent victory at the same venue in December 2023.With the Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand looming, this series provides a valuable opportunity for England to experiment and assess their options. The focus will be on individual performances and the development of a cohesive strategy under the Bazball philosophy.

Jos Buttler's return to the helm of England's white-ball team has been further delayed due to a persistent calf injury. The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been sidelined for four months and will miss the upcoming ODI leg of the Caribbean tour.Buttler's injury woes began in June during England's T20 World Cup campaign. He has not played a competitive match since their semi-final defeat to India. Despite missing the Hundred and the T20I and ODI series against Australia, Buttler was expected to make his comeback in the Caribbean.However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that Buttler has suffered a "slight setback" in his rehabilitation. As a result, he will fly directly to Barbados for the five-match T20I series starting on November 9.In Buttler's absence, Liam Livingstone will captain England in the ODIs. It will be his first time leading the team in this format. Harry Brook, who stood in for Buttler against Australia, is currently in Pakistan preparing for the third Test.England will announce a replacement player in due course. Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed are potential candidates, as they were originally intended to join the tour as additional players.Buttler's continued absence has raised concerns about his international future. However, incoming white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has assured that Buttler remains a key part of his plans. McCullum has praised Buttler's leadership and ability to inspire his teammates.Marcus Trescothick, England's interim white-ball coach, has also expressed confidence in Buttler's return. He believes that Buttler will seamlessly reintegrate into the team and continue to contribute significantly.

Mitchell Starc's nightmare at Lord's on Friday was a chilling reminder of the brutal onslaught he endured at the hands of Rohit Sharma during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. In the fourth ODI between Australia and England, Starc was subjected to a relentless assault by Liam Livingstone, who smashed 29 runs off his over, equaling the costliest over by an Australian bowler in ODIs.Starc's torment began in the final over of England's innings, with the home team needing 15 runs to win. Livingstone, who had already struck a blistering 67 off 27 balls, took aim at the Australian left-arm pacer, hitting four sixes in a row. The over, which read 6, 0, 6, 6, 6, 4, brought back haunting memories of Rohit's sensational knock in the T20 World Cup match.In that match, Rohit played arguably the best innings of the tournament, smashing eight sixes and seven fours in his 41-ball 92. The highlight of his innings was the third over bowled by Starc, in which the Indian captain plundered four sixes and a four off the pacer, making it a 29-run over.Starc's struggles against Livingstone and Rohit have exposed a vulnerability in his bowling that opposition batters are eager to exploit. The Australian pacer, who has been one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket, is now facing questions about his ability to handle the pressure in high-stakes matches.After the match, Starc admitted that he had bowled five bad balls and that Livingstone had punished him for them. "I've played a lot against him. He had a good tournament, especially in our game. I think he targeted that wind in St. Lucia as well. If you look at the runs from each end, one end went for a lot more than the other. I bowled from that end," Starc said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Starc's struggles are a concern for Australia, who are looking to regain their dominance in ODI cricket. The team has lost two of the first four matches in the series against England, and Starc's inability to contain the opposition's batters is a major factor.

Liam Livingstone's stellar performances against Australia have propelled him to the pinnacle of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings. The English star has dethroned Marcus Stoinis, ascending seven places to claim the No. 1 spot.Livingstone's rise is attributed to his impressive all-round display in the two-match T20I series against Australia. He amassed 124 runs, including a match-winning 87 off 47 balls in Cardiff, and claimed five wickets.The series witnessed Livingstone's elevation to the No. 4 batting position, a role he relished. "I want that responsibility. I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that," he stated.Livingstone's bowling also proved crucial, forming a formidable spin partnership with Adil Rashid. Their combined efforts helped England restrict Australia's explosive starts.In addition to his T20I success, Livingstone has earned a recall to the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia, replacing the injured Jos Buttler.Meanwhile, Travis Head has solidified his position as the No. 1 T20I batsman, scoring 90 runs off 37 balls in the series. Adam Zampa's rise in the bowling rankings has resulted in the top six spots being occupied by spinners.Livingstone's ascent to the top of the all-rounder rankings is a testament to his versatility and match-winning abilities. His performances have not only earned him individual accolades but have also contributed to England's success in the shortest format of the game.

England's Liam Livingstone played a pivotal role in his team's thrilling three-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens on Friday. His blistering 87 off 47 balls propelled England to a challenging target of 194 runs, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Livingstone's second T20 half-century in his 50th match for England proved crucial. He formed a match-winning partnership of 90 runs with Jacob Bethell (44 off 24 balls) after England faced early setbacks.England captain Phil Salt's aggressive start, hitting three successive sixes in the third over, was cut short by Sean Abbott's dismissal of Will Jacks and Jordan Cox. Salt's departure for 39 off 23 balls left England in a precarious position at 79/3 in the ninth over.However, Livingstone and Bethell steadied the innings, with Livingstone showcasing his power-hitting prowess with six fours and five sixes. Despite Livingstone's dismissal in the 19th over by Matt Short, who took five wickets, England reached the target with six balls to spare.Reflecting on his performance, Livingstone expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I feel like I'm in decent nick with the bat and ball. It's nice to play with a smile on my face." He also praised Bethell, calling him an "incredible talent" and a "fearless kid" who performed well under pressure.Australia, led by Travis Head in place of the unwell Mitchell Marsh, posted a competitive 193/6. Head, leading for the first time, scored 31 off 14 balls before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored his first international T20 half-century with 50 off 31 balls before being caught by Jamie Overton off Livingstone's bowling.Commenting on the game, Head said, "We got a really good score and we got really close. Jake Fraser-McGurk played nicely. We didn't get the win, but we move on to Manchester."The victory came after England's 28-run defeat in the first match at Southampton. The series will conclude with the final game in Manchester on Sunday.

Liam Livingstone, the dynamic English all-rounder, is determined to use his promotion in the T20I team as a springboard to reclaim his spot in the ODI setup. Despite being a key figure in England's T20 World Cup campaigns, Livingstone was surprisingly omitted from the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia.In the recent T20I against Australia, Livingstone showcased his versatility by top-scoring with 37 from No. 4 and claiming 3 for 22 with his legbreaks. He believes that his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game makes him a valuable asset in both formats.Livingstone acknowledges that his recent struggles with injuries have hindered his progress. However, he is now fully fit and eager to prove his worth. He has been given the opportunity to bat at No. 4 in the T20I series, a role he prefers to the finisher position he has often occupied."I want that responsibility," Livingstone said. "I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that."Despite being the second-oldest player in the T20I squad, Livingstone embraces the role of mentor to the younger players. He believes that the fresh environment and new coaching staff have brought a sense of renewal to the team."Things are going to change," Livingstone said. "That naturally happens when you bring in new players, but especially when you bring in new coaches as well. Things have felt different: it's like a new beginning."Livingstone's determination to regain his place in the ODI team is evident. He recognizes that his chances may be limited in the upcoming series due to the absence of Test players, but he is confident that his performances in the T20Is will put him in contention for the Champions Trophy in February."I'm not going to sit here and cry about not being picked," Livingstone said. "There's plenty of cricket to be played around the world, and if I'm not involved in the ODI stuff then there's plenty more opportunities."

Bowlers' Trickery: Josh Hazlewood's Cunning Deception to Dismiss Liam LivingstoneIn the ever-evolving landscape of cricket, where batsmen continuously innovate with audacious shots, bowlers must also adapt and devise new strategies to outwit their opponents. One such instance of bowling brilliance was witnessed in the first T20I between England and Australia at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood showcased his cunning deception to dismiss England's Liam Livingstone. Bowling the 14th over, Hazlewood initially displayed the grip and hand position of an off-cutter, leading Livingstone to anticipate a slower delivery. However, in a swift move, Hazlewood switched his grip and unleashed a full-paced delivery.The ball crashed into the hard length outside off stump, catching Livingstone off guard. The batsman's lack of footwork and attempt to stab at the ball resulted in an inside edge that crashed into his stumps. Despite the absence of significant movement, Hazlewood's clever deception proved decisive.Bowlers employ various tactics to disrupt batsmen's rhythm and force errors. Some slow down their deliveries or accelerate them unexpectedly to unsettle the batsman's timing. Others rely on swing and seam to make the ball move unpredictably.These strategies demand a combination of skill, guile, and an understanding of the batsman's mindset. Hazlewood's dismissal of Livingstone exemplified all these qualities, demonstrating the importance of bowling variations and outsmarting the opposition.

Lancashire's dominance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured their place in the quarter-finals with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire at Emirates Old Trafford. The win marked Lancashire's 150th in Blast history, making them the first county to reach this milestone.England duo Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone played starring roles for Lancashire, returning from T20 World Cup duty to guide their team to victory. Salt smashed a destructive 70 off 42 balls, including five sixes, while Livingstone contributed an unbeaten 54 off 37 with three sixes.Nottinghamshire's struggles continued as they slipped to their eighth defeat in 13 games. All-rounder Lyndon James top-scored with a career-best 51 off 38 balls, but it proved insufficient against Lancashire's polished bowling display.Left-arm quick Luke Wood led the Lancashire attack with a season's best three for 23, limiting Nottinghamshire to 131 for seven. Spinners Chris Green and Tom Hartley also played their part, claiming two wickets each.Lancashire's chase got off to a shaky start when Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Luke Wells in the second over. However, Salt and Livingstone steadied the ship with a 112-run partnership for the second wicket. Salt reached his fifty off 31 balls, while Livingstone achieved the milestone with the winning hit, a pulled six off Farooqi.Lancashire's victory sets up a potential home tie in the quarter-finals, while Nottinghamshire's disappointing campaign continues. The Outlaws, who have won the Blast twice in the past, will be eager to put this season behind them and focus on rebuilding for the future.