Liam Livingstone ascends to the top of the ICC T20i rankings for the all-rounders after his displays vs Australia.
Liam Livingstone has become the No.1-ranked men’s T20I allrounder following his Player of the Series performances against Australia
By moving up seven spots in the standings after taking five wickets and scoring 124 runs in the two games played, with the Old Trafford final being lost, he has dethroned Marcus Stoinis.
After being deployed as a finisher at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Livingstone moved up to No. 4 in the England order for this series. He relished the opportunity to put together an innings, helping England to a series-level victory in Cardiff with a commanding 87 off 47 balls.
“It’s up to me to ensure I do as well as I can and give them a bit of a headache for the next series.” He said after the first T20I where he made 37 and took 3 for 22 in defeat. “I don’t think you’ll see anybody that wants to bat lower down the order.
“I want that responsibility. We want to try to win games of cricket for England. The higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that. There’s less people that can play that role [at No. 6]. And sometimes you’ve got to take it on the chin. But this is a chance for me to stake my claim.”
His bowling proved to be just as significant. He and Adil Rashid established a crucial spin partnership that helped England twice overcome quick starts from Australia.
Livingstone was called up to the ODI team for the five-match series against Australia. He takes Jos Buttler’s spot due to injury.
After scoring 90 runs in two innings against the series with just 37 balls faced, Travis Head solidified his position as the top batsman in the rankings. In the bowling rankings, spinners occupy the top six spots, with Adam Zampa moving up one spot.