Livingstone downs Australia as England level T20 series

Second T20, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Australia 193-6 (20 overs): Fraser-McGurk 50 (31), Inglis 42 (26); Livingstone 2-16

England 194-7 (19 overs): Livingstone 87 (47), Bethell 44 (24); Short 5-22

England win by three wickets; series level at 1-1

Scorecard

Liam Livingstone smashed a superb 87 from 47 balls to lead England to a series-levelling three-wicket win over Australia in the second T20.

The big-hitting all-rounder marked his 50th T20 international appearance in style as he took 2-16 with the ball before bludgeoning six fours and five sixes in making just his second T20I half-century.

Livingstone put on 90 with Jacob Bethell, in just his second international game, as England chased down 194 with six balls to spare in Cardiff.

Bethell played second-fiddle to Livingstone early on but exploded into life as he took talismanic Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa for 20 in an over during an eye-catching knock of 44 from 24 balls.

There was a slight wobble after Bethell was dismissed but Livingstone settled it down, falling only when the scores were level, as part-time spinner Matthew Short took a remarkable 5-22.

Jake Fraser-McGurk was the standout for Australia with the bat, hitting his maiden international fifty, with Josh Inglis adding 42 as the visitors posted a challenging 193-6.

But England were up to the task, equalling the highest successful T20 chase at Sophia Gardens and setting a new T20 international record to set up a decider at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Moved up to bat at four in this series, Livingstone has taken his chance in the first two games.

He was the pick of the England batters in Southampton but was unable to take his side to their target.

The 31-year-old made no such mistake this time as he constructed a brilliant T20 innings, showing composure alongside his destructive hitting to ensure the hosts never fell too far behind in the chase.

He arrived at the crease after two wickets in a fine over from Sean Abbott had put Australia on top, with England 34-2.

Phil Salt was still there, having hit a trio of sixes to get England’s innings going, but when he fell for a brisk 39, the hosts’ lengthy tail came into view and the need for a partnership was clear.

Livingstone and Bethell rose to the occasion, with the former ramping Cameron Green for four then six prior to carting Marcus Stoinis into the stands two balls running to bring up a 27-ball fifty.

At the other end, 20-year-old Bethell overcame a slightly tentative start by walloping left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly for six and followed it up with his takedown of Zampa.

It was just a 24-ball innings but Bethell’s performance is one that will excite – 44 is the highest score by an England batter aged 20 or under in T20s.

Livingstone has often been restricted to cameos while batting lower down the order in recent years.

But this was a stark reminder of what he is capable of as he ensured there is something riding on the third T20 in Manchester.

For the second game running, Australia came flying out of the blocks in the powerplay with Short striking the first blow – an enormous six off Reece Topley second ball – before Travis Head took over.

The left-hander, captaining Australia for the first time with Mitchell Marsh missing through illness, twice cleared the short straight boundaries as the tourists’ 50 came up after four overs.

Unlike in Southampton, though, England managed to recover before the powerplay was done with the returning Carse, who looked sharp from the off, removing Head for 31.

England slowed the scoring rate further once the fielding restrictions eased with the spin of Adil Rashid and Livingstone again causing Australia problems.

Carse also made the most of a dry surface with a number of cutters, as well as cranking it up to 90mph-plus.

But Fraser-McGurk showcased his fast hands and power as he plundered four fours and two sixes on his way to a 29-ball half-century.

He fell to Livingstone two balls later, holing out to Jamie Overton at long on, and Marcus Stoinis followed suit in near-identical manner two overs later.

Carse returned to remove Tim David but all the while Inglis kept Australia ticking to set the tourists up for a big finish.

Inglis was dismissed by Sam Curran but Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie took 20 from the left-armer in the final over to ensure Australia’s innings ended as it started.

England captain Phil Salt: “What Liam did was incredible, we all know he is capable of that.

“To see Bethell to come out to play the way he did, not just the skill but the way he paced it and took probably their best bowler down, I was really impressed.”

Australia captain Travis Head: “We were right in the hunt and we were close.

“You go with your gut and your game plan, we’ll sit down but you play your best and sometimes it doesn’t come off.”

Player of the match, England batter Liam Livingstone: “Towards the end of The Hundred I felt I was getting my body back to normal, which is a thing that has bothered me the last couple of years.

“It has taught me a few life lessons but I am enjoying my cricket and playing with a smile on my face.”