Australia set a challenging target of 194 runs. Livingstone’s second T20 half-century in his 50th match for England guided the home team to successfully chase the target.Jacob Bethell contributed 44 off 24 balls, forming a crucial partnership of 90 runs with Livingstone after early setbacks.
England captain Phil Salt started aggressively, hitting three successive sixes in the third over. However, Australia’s Sean Abbott dismissed Will Jacks and Jordan Cox in quick succession. Salt was then caught by Abbott for 39 off 23 balls, leaving England in a difficult position at 79/3 in the ninth over.
Livingstone and Bethell regained control, with Livingstone hitting six fours and five sixes. England reached the target with six balls to spare, despite Livingstone being bowled by Matt Short, who took five wickets, in the 19th over.
The victory came after England’s 28-run defeat in the first match at Southampton. Reflecting on the match, Livingstone was quoted by Reuters as saying, “I feel like I’m in decent nick with the bat and ball. It’s nice to play with a smile on my face.” He also praised Bethell, calling him an “incredible talent” and a “fearless kid” who performed well under pressure.
Australia, led by Travis Head in place of the unwell Mitchell Marsh, scored 193/6. Head, leading for the first time, scored 31 off 14 balls before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored 50 off 31 balls, his first international T20 half-century, before being caught by Jamie Overton off Livingstone’s bowling.
Commenting on the game, Australia’s stand-in captain Head said, “We got a really good score and we got really close. Jake Fraser-McGurk played nicely. We didn’t get the win, but we move on to Manchester.”
