Livingstone brings England back in style as they level the series 1-1 after a 3-wicket win last night in the second T20i at Cardiff.
Livingstone ensured England have leveled the 3-match T20i series in an all-round performance to beat Australia by 3 wickets.
Liam Livingstone was the star for England, with his 87 of 47 following a 2-wicket haul to take England to the finish line.
He got an able ally in newcomer Jacob Bethell with bat as they took England home with an ecstatic display of power-hitting.
Australia were batting first and once again the pair of Short and Head gave them a fast start. But it was Jake Fraser-McGurk who stole the show.
While Head was his usual belligerent self, McGurk showed why he is to be the successor to Warner with this knock.
Given an opportunity at 3 due to Marsh’s illness, McGurk started in the only way he knows- 3 straight boundaries of Curran. The young Aussie reached his maiden 50 after a rather pugnacious 6 over point off Topley.
However, Livingstone dragged England back in the contest by getting McGurk and Stoinis in succession. Inglis, who made 42, hit Carse for two straight fours, but Tim David got caught behind with his final delivery. Australia reached 193 as Overton destroyed Cameron Green at deep midwicket and Aaron Hardie punished Curran in the last over.
England started in similar fashion with Salt tonking Hardie for 3 sixes in a row. But Abbott pulled things back by dismissing Jacks and Jordan Cox in the space of 3 balls.
Salt and Livingstone ticked over but Zampa briefly put the brakes on. Head gave Matthew Short a bowl and it was a masterstroke. Livingstone and Bethell combined to stunning effect, starting steadily before accelerating to take Stoinis and Zampa down respectively.
Despite England’s efforts to cause chaos, Short claimed his first five-for in his career. Livingstone ran himself out. Curran gave a simple catch to extra cover. Bethell was bowled reversing, and Carse was caught out at mid-on. Short was on a hat-trick when Rashid hit the winning single through point.