September 12, 2024

Livingstone Aims for England’s 50-Over Comeback as Dwarshuis Replaces Bartlett

Liam Livingstone is focused on regaining his spot in England’s 50-over squad following his performance against Australia. Meanwhile, Australia has called up Ben Dwarshuis to fill the gap left by Xavier Bartlett, who is out with a side strain. Livingstone’s ambitions and Dwarshuis’s opportunity highlight the evolving dynamics as both teams prepare for their upcoming matches.

Livingstone Eyes England 50-Over Return After Australia Performance

Liam Livingstone is seeking to reclaim his spot in England’s 50-over squad after seizing a coveted chance to move up the batting order in the current T20 series against Australia.

Promoted to No. 4 on Wednesday in a revamped XI that included three debutants, Livingstone delivered a solid 27-ball innings of 37 in the series opener, England’s standout performance on a chilly September evening in Southampton. He also contributed three wickets earlier in the match, showcasing his all-around skills.

“I’ve probably had two years of batting a bit lower down – you don’t always get the opportunity,” said Livingstone, who played at six and seven during the T20 World Cup in June. “It’s usually you either don’t bat, you come in for two or three balls, or you need 14 an over facing 10 balls at the end.”

“I don’t think you’ll see anybody that wants to bat lower down the order. I want that responsibility; I want to try and win games of cricket for England, and I think the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that. That’s why series like this, where you get an opportunity further up the order, it’s a chance for me to stake my claim. I guess winning games of T20 cricket for England may enhance my chances of getting back into the one-day team.”

Given more responsibility in one format, Livingstone has been dropped from another and will miss next week’s one-day matches against Australia. Like many of his teammates, he struggled at last year’s World Cup, totaling just 60 runs and three wickets over six games. However, he relishes being “pain-free” on the field after enduring a tough couple of years physically. He faced an ankle injury before the 2022 T20 World Cup, followed by a knee injury during his Test debut against Pakistan that December.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be playing in the ODIs, but it’s still not something I’m giving up on. I feel like I’ve had a difficult couple of years. My body has probably let me down a little bit, and maybe I haven’t been up to scratch physically with a couple of niggles.

“I did my ankle just before the World Cup, rushed back for the World Cup, which then led to me injuring my knee in the Test stuff. It was basically a bit of a game of cat-and-mouse between the two of them for a long while. I was always rushing back to play whatever the next tournament was because I wanted to play cricket – I didn’t want to be out of cricket for too long. I probably rushed back a little bit quick but I don’t really have any regrets because I won a World Cup.

“I’m 31, I’m not going to sit here and cry about not being picked. There’s plenty of cricket to be playing around the world and if I’m not involved in the ODI stuff then there’s plenty more opportunities. I guess the key for me is I’m back to enjoying my cricket. I feel like I can run around in the field pain-free, I can bowl, and I feel like I’m back in decent nick with the bat.”

Australia has summoned Ben Dwarshuis to replace Xavier Bartlett, who is sidelined with a side strain

Australia has brought in fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis as a replacement after Xavier Bartlett sustained a side strain during the first T20I against England on Wednesday, September 11, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Bartlett ended with bowling figures of 3.4 overs, 26 runs, and 1 wicket as Australia claimed a 28-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Bartlett couldn’t finish his complete bowling spell after reporting discomfort. He had Phil Salt caught at mid-off, but the wicket was taken away due to a no-ball call. Nonetheless, he managed to claim the wicket of Jordan Cox, who scored 17 runs off 12 balls with three fours in his debut match.

Bartlett’s injury opens the door for Australia to include Riley Meredith in their lineup for the second T20I. They also have all-rounders Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie as alternatives. Meredith has been with the squad since the series against Scotland following Josh Hazlewood’s calf injury.

Meredith was retained for the England T20Is after Nathan Ellis was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson is also recovering from a side strain. Ellis and Johnson suffered injuries while participating in the Hundred Men’s competition.

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