Liam Livingstone struggled with right knee injury during the IPL 2024, like he had been suffering for the last 18 months. He had to even fly back home early to get his fitness back. And during the England vs Pakistan, the all-rounder seems to have finally played pain-free.
Liam Livingstone Pain-free
But that injury did cause enough damage, as far as his performances were concerned. In the World Cup 2023, he only scored 60 runs in six innings, while in T20s, across all leagues, in 18 innings, he averaged only 15.75. “It’s not been the most enjoyable 18 months of trying to play with a niggle,” Livingstone said after the fourth T20I, quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“It kind of drains your spirit, drains your enjoyment of cricket. I was in a pretty crap place at the end of the IPL… thankfully, the injection seems to have worked and just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me. I feel like I’ve got a smile on my face again, and I’m enjoying playing cricket.”
Bowler and Finisher’s Role for Livingstone
Not finding enough success in the middle-order, Liam Livingstone will now be seen in the finisher’s role, maybe at No. 7, which is different from his usual 3, 4, 5, role. “It’s a different role for me. I’ve always batted No. 3, 4, 5, and even at the top of the order when I first came through. You’ve got to manage your expectations and realise that actually, when the time comes, I’m going to get an opportunity – at some time, at some point – to win a game of cricket for England. Hopefully when that time comes, I’m ready to take it.”
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He will also have to take up the third spinner’s role if needed, with the likes of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali present in the setup. “It’s a difficult role batting at No. 7: I faced three balls in this series and may not face a ball until we get out there and we’re 60 for 5, so I’ve got to try and contribute in a different way.
“[It’s about] being able to do that with the ball or whatever it is in the field. I’ve got to keep developing as a cricketer and certainly, being able to bowl is part of that. I guess that’s the cool thing about being able to contribute in all three facets of the game: whenever you’re called upon, you’ve got an opportunity.”
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