Livingstone downs Australia as England level T20 series

Second T20, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Australia 193-6 (20 overs): Fraser-McGurk 50 (31), Inglis 42 (26); Livingstone 2-16

England 194-7 (19 overs): Livingstone 87 (47), Bethell 44 (24); Short 5-22

England win by three wickets; series level at 1-1

Scorecard

Liam Livingstone smashed a superb 87 from 47 balls to lead England to a series-levelling three-wicket win over Australia in the second T20.

The big-hitting all-rounder marked his 50th T20 international appearance in style as he took 2-16 with the ball before bludgeoning six fours and five sixes in making just his second T20I half-century.

Livingstone put on 90 with Jacob Bethell, in just his second international game, as England chased down 194 with six balls to spare in Cardiff.

Bethell played second-fiddle to Livingstone early on but exploded into life as he took talismanic Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa for 20 in an over during an eye-catching knock of 44 from 24 balls.

There was a slight wobble after Bethell was dismissed but Livingstone settled it down, falling only when the scores were level, as part-time spinner Matthew Short took a remarkable 5-22.

Jake Fraser-McGurk was the standout for Australia with the bat, hitting his maiden international fifty, with Josh Inglis adding 42 as the visitors posted a challenging 193-6.

But England were up to the task, equalling the highest successful T20 chase at Sophia Gardens and setting a new T20 international record to set up a decider at Old Trafford on Sunday.

For the second game running, Australia came flying out of the blocks in the powerplay with Short striking the first blow – an enormous six off Reece Topley second ball – before Travis Head took over.

The left-hander, captaining Australia for the first time with Mitchell Marsh missing through illness, twice cleared the short straight boundaries as the tourists’ 50 came up after four overs.

Unlike in Southampton, though, England managed to recover before the powerplay was done with the returning Carse, who looked sharp from the off, removing Head for 31.

England slowed the scoring rate further once the fielding restrictions eased with the spin of Adil Rashid and Livingstone again causing Australia problems.

Carse also made the most of a dry surface with a number of cutters, as well as cranking it up to 90mph-plus.

But Fraser-McGurk showcased his fast hands and power as he plundered four fours and two sixes on his way to a 29-ball half-century.

He fell to Livingstone two balls later, holing out to Jamie Overton at long on, and Marcus Stoinis followed suit in near-identical manner two overs later.

Carse returned to remove Tim David but all the while Inglis kept Australia ticking to set the tourists up for a big finish.

Inglis was dismissed by Sam Curran but Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie took 20 from the left-armer in the final over to ensure Australia’s innings ended as it started.

More to follow.