The Hundred 2022: Liam Livingstone ruled out with ankle injury

English batter Liam Livingstone is ruled out of the rest of the Hundred Men’s competition with an ankle injury. He will miss the last two group matches of Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, against Manchester Originals on August 28, and against London Spirit on August 30. Nottinghamshire batter Sol Budinger has been named as the replacement for Birmingham Phoenix for the remainder of the games including the knockout stages if the team finishes in the top three. 

Livingstone has had a successful season with the bat in the competition, scoring 173 runs in six matches at an average of 34.60 and a strike rate of 145.37 with a top score of 119. Meanwhile, England’s selection committee will meet this week to select the squad for the seven-match T20I series in Pakistan in September and October. 

Budinger is a left-handed top-order batter, who has played nine T20s and scored 96 runs. He also has 523 runs in 17 List-A games at an average of 32.68 and a top score of 89. Previously, England skipper Jos Buttler was ruled out of the competition due to a calf injury and he admitted that he might not play all seven games against Pakistan. All-rounder Moeen Ali is likely to lead the national side in Buttler’s absence. Meanwhile, England opener Jason Roy missed his team’s previous match due to a back spasm.

England pacers such as Chris Jordan, Richard Gleeson, Tymal Mills, and Brydon Carse are also not playing in the Hundred due to injury, while left-arm pacer Reece Topley pulled out to protect himself from injury with the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November this year. Star England bowlers such as Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes are already benched as they are likely to play for England in the coming days.