Liam Livingstone Eyes ODI Comeback

Liam Livingstone is determined to leverage his promotion in England’s T20I team as a pathway to rejoining the ODI squad. Previously utilised as a lower-order finisher in the last three T20 World Cups, Livingstone made a case for himself with both bat and ball during the recent match against Australia at the Utilita Bowl. His 37 runs from No. 4, paired with a solid 3 for 22 with his leg breaks, underscored his potential in a more prominent role.

However, Livingstone finds himself left out of the upcoming five-match ODI series, with Jacob Bethell taking his place. Alongside Sam Curran, he was one of the notable omissions. The decision, relayed to him by Rob Key in what Livingstone described as a "good news, bad news" phone call, left him unclear about how to reclaim his spot in the ODI squad.

With England’s top white-ball players opting out of domestic 50-over competitions due to a scheduling conflict with The Hundred, Livingstone hasn't played County Championship cricket in two years. His opportunity to feature in the November ODI series in the Caribbean may depend on the availability of Test players, and his hopes of playing in the Champions Trophy in February will likely hinge on his T20 form.

Reflecting on his situation, Livingstone expressed optimism about his chances in the T20Is. He believes that batting higher in the order allows him more time to influence the game. He also noted that, in 50-over cricket, he's had success even when batting lower down. Despite his omission from the ODI squad, Livingstone remains focused on maximising his opportunities in other formats, noting that at 31, he's not going to dwell on being dropped.

Livingstone's journey as an international cricketer has been remarkable. After a four-year absence, he made a stunning comeback to the T20I side in 2021, highlighted by a 42-ball century against Pakistan and a 117-metre six off Haris Rauf at Headingley. His MVP performance in the inaugural Hundred and his strong showing in the 2022 IPL further bolstered his reputation. 

However, recurring injuries have since hampered his progress. He admitted that rushing back from an ankle injury for the 2022 T20 World Cup, followed by a knee injury on his Test debut, impacted his performances. Now fully recovered, Livingstone is eager to return to his best form, stating that he finally feels physically capable of giving 100 percent in the field, bowling, and batting.

Given a chance to bat at No. 4 in this series, a position he favours over being a finisher, Livingstone is determined to make the most of it and create a selection dilemma for future matches. He stated that batting higher offers more opportunities to win games for England, a responsibility he’s ready to embrace.

As one of the older players in the current squad at 31, Livingstone acknowledges the need to guide the younger members and take some pressure off them. He finds himself in a leadership role, one he enjoys as the team navigates a period of transition. With new players and coaches bringing fresh energy, Livingstone described the current environment as the start of something new, a change that excites him as he seeks to cement his place in the team.