Twitter Reactions: Liam Livingstone blasts England to victory vs Australia in second T20I
The series is currently locked at 1-1.
England defeated Australia by three wickets in the second T20I to make a comeback in the three-match series. The batters flopped in the first game of the series but in the second, Liam Livingstone stole the show with his blitzkrieg and helped the hosts pick up an incredible win at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Batting first, Australia started well as Travis Head once again took charge of the proceedings. The opener smashed 31 runs off 14 balls before Brydon Carse got the better of him. His dismissal slowed things down, but Australia eventually found their way. Batting at number three, Jake Fraser-McGurk smashed a cracking half-century, which brought the momentum back.
Later, keeper-batter Josh Inglis made 42 runs off 26 deliveries while Aaron Hardie played an unbeaten cameo of 20 runs off nine deliveries. For England, Carse and Livingstone picked up two wickets each and the hosts were asked to 194 runs in the second innings. Given that their batters flopped in the first game, it was not an easy task for the Phil Salt-led side.
The captain gave a sensational start, smashing 39 runs off 23 deliveries. However, he had little support from the other end. His opening partner Will Jacks departed after scoring 12 runs while Jordan Cox failed to open his tally. Livingstone then arrived and changed the complexion of the game. He did not take time to settle down and hit 87 runs off 47 deliveries to bring England back into the contest.
20-year-old Jacob Bethell supported him well, hitting 44 runs off 24 deliveries. Meanwhile, Livingstone almost took the team home but Matthew Short picked up his wicket in the 19th over, shortly before the game was over. He picked up a five-for for Australia in the match but that didn’t help Australia. Livingstone’s damage helped England pick up a comfortable win as the series is now locked at 1-1. The third and final game will be played on September 15 at Emirates Old Trafford.
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