Stuart Broad, Michael Atherton, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan Reflect on Liam Livingstone’s 100 Records for England; Livingstone Beats Pakistani Bowlers To Significantly Boost Hopes Of T20 World Cup; Watch the second T20 starting at 2pm, Sunday, Sky Sports Cricket
Liam Livingstone, England record.
The Lancashire batsman swept through his nation’s fastest international century when he reached the milestone of just 42 balls against Pakistan in Friday’s T20 international at Trent Bridge.
Livingstone’s innings, in which he hit nine sixes and six fours, came in a losing cause, with England in 201 chasing 233.
But the night was very much a victory for Livingstone personally, with his throbbing blow in just his ninth game for his country, and his first since leaving 10 days of self-isolation, giving him “the best day of my career” and significantly increased his hopes of being a part of the English national team for the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman later this year …
“It was brutal. It hit him wonderfully from the moment he came in, against the seam, against the twist. He hit nine-six and everyone was clearing the rope by a mile!”
“It was one of those shots that you play once in a lifetime, so to do it so early in his international career is incredible.
“He could well have forced his way into the T20 World Cup team with a performance like that. I think we’ll see him a lot more in white ball cricket for England in the future.
“He’s got so much power, and he can hit good balls for six. That’s what people like Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler want in the locker room, people who can play innings like this.”
“It was an incredible blow. The biggest compliment I can give him is that over the past six years as a group our dressing room has seen some incredible innings – Buttler, [Jason] Roy, Moeen [Ali] – and that was as good as any of them. “
“Livingstone certainly raised his hand [for the T20 World Cup]. It will be very difficult not to choose a boy if he plays like this! I think it was as exciting an inning as I’ve seen from our white ball cricketers.
“How clean he hit the ball from the start was amazing to see in person and it’s exciting to think how powerful that hitting drive could be with someone like him in it. He’s adding something special.
“There is a lot of thinking that goes into his game, a lot of skill, and he works hard at it. This is not just a gift from God, he puts in a lot of effort.
“When you see an entry like that knowing what’s going on behind the scenes, it’s great to see it. That’s why you do the coaching job.
“It’s a complete and exciting package with what he brings on the ball and the fact that he’s an exceptional fielder. He’s a modern T20 cricketer and these are the players to turn to.”
“What a night for Livingstone! His best day in cricket and a fabulous entry on his part. He has shown in the T20 franchise leagues that he is a ready player for this level.
“What a versatile player he is. He can hit over the top, hit in the middle, throw off spin, turn his legs and his six-hitting ability is fantastic.
“I love being in this environment, but I’m not looking too far [to the T20 World Cup]. I’ve been guilty of doing that before it gets me nowhere, so it’s certainly not something I’m doing. [now].
“I’d say he’s the best [day] of my career. I took a look at a couple of balls and then ‘here we go’. It felt really good and it was one of those days. “
“The most enjoyable thing is the work that I have done, traveling around the world to try to gain experience and maturity, everything is coming together. It’s about trying to have a little more control.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been a bit more reckless; obviously I have the ability to hit a ball, but what I needed to improve was consistency. Three [Marcus Trescothick] and Colly [Paul Collingwood] I’ve worked hard to help me with some small adjustments. “
See if Livingstone shoots again when England meet Pakistan in the second T20 international of the three-game series. Emerald Headingley coverage begins at 2pm Sunday on Sky Sports Cricket.
