Liam Livingstone is starring in England’s fightback to level the ODI series against New Zealand
iam Livingstone’s save saved England’s top spot before Jos Buttler’s side used a good bowling performance to claim a series-level win over New Zealand in the second ODI in Southampton.
In an innings shortened to 34 overs due to rain, England were reduced to 55 for five by a great new-ball spell from Trent Boult, but Livingstone’s arrival at the crease marked the start of a great recovery as the all-rounder pulled back made a half-century in the series opener to cement his place in the Cricket World Cup.
At No.7, Livingstone hit an unbeaten 95 from just 78 balls, by far his highest score in ODI cricket, and formed a vital hundred partnership with Sam Curran as the hosts climbed to 226 for seven.
The Black Caps had made a brilliant run for an eight-wicket victory in the First ODI in Cardiff on Friday night, but three wickets each for Reece Topley and David Willey ensured the tourists fell 79 runs short here, despite Daryll Mitchell’s half-century .
After a three-hour rain delay and a delayed toss won by touring skipper Tom Latham, Boult could hardly have asked for more ideal conditions for his return to New Zealand, this being the seamer’s first international cricket appearance since the last T20 World Cup Year after he left a central contract.
The left-back struck three times in eight balls, denying the top-class trio of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes before a condensed powerplay came to an end as England held on for eight balls to three.
With Jason Roy still struggling with a back spasm and Dawid Malan absent after the birth of his second child, Harry Brook was given another opportunity to further his World Cup campaign as a makeshift opener but, as in Cardiff, did not take advantage of it It. When the Yorkshireman was caught off the bowling of Matt Henry, England’s top four had contributed just nine runs.
However, in a shortened game, no rebuild could afford to be too cautious and Buttler’s aggression against the last over of Boult’s opener marked the start of a momentum shift. The captain eventually got the better of Mitchell Santner for 30 off 25 balls, but Moeen Ali tried to counter in similar fashion, hurling Rachin Ravindra into the hall before succumbing to a brilliant diving catch from Glenn Phillips on 33, fearlessly belly fluttering at full length the hardened square.
Often classed as a hard-hitting finisher, Livingstone played at a pace perfectly suited to the task, working his way through the gears as he managed 17 runs against a Tim Southee, not by forcing his way into the stands but through instead precise timing through coverage and dabbing neatly to the third man.
The 30-year-old’s half-century came in 47 balls as England headed for a total that would have seemed unlikely given the collapse of the top-order and circumstances that would have allowed a more self-serving lead in the batting, a first ODI hundred might well have been can be considered.
Willey had been denied the new ball in Cardiff but took full advantage here, wasting a behind score with his first delivery but immediately making amends by striking with his second when Finn Allen was bowled for nothing .
Gus Atkinson was once again impressive, grabbing the crucial wicket of Devon Conway after adding extra pace to the first over, while Surrey teammate Topley returned to form after a lean run and took his trio of wickets in a match-winning one Middle-over spells reduced the game to Tourists from 111 for three to leave the chase ailing at 123 for six.
England were not safe as long as regular Thorn Mitchell remained, but the centurion from two nights ago failed to tackle Moeen Ali’s full ball and hit mid-on to give the spinner his 100th ODI wicket.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-new-zealand-second-odi-livingstone-b1106081.html Liam Livingstone is starring in England’s fightback to level the ODI series against New Zealand
