Liam Livingstone smashed a boundary-fuelled 87 to lead England home in a 194-run chase, levelling the T20I series against Australia.
Livingstone's innings came in his new position at No.4, which he's been promoted to in the absence of some of England's multi-format T20I players. After he was unable to capitalise on a 37-run start in the opening match of the series at Southampton, he delivered in style in Cardiff. He came to the crease after England had lost both Will Jacks and Jordan Cox within three balls of each other in the powerplay, both falling to deliveries from Sean Abbott.
Having blocked out the last four balls of Abott's over, surviving an lbw review from Australia off the last, he got up and running by charging down the pitch to Marcus Stoinis and whacking a six over midwicket. He then took three fours of Abbott's next over, putting the pressure back on Australia. As the spinners came back on and turned the screw, 13 runs coming off the next 13 balls, Phil Salt was caught attempting to break the shackles and holing out to long off.
That brought Jacob Bethell to the crease in his second international game, with he and Livingstone going on to put together a 90-run partnership to break the back of the chase. After seeing off Adam Zampa, Livingstone looked to target Cameron Green with the scoop shot, getting one away for four before nailing the next for six.
Stoinis also came in for more rough treatment, Livingstone nailing three consecutive boundaries off his second over, the second six over deep square giving him a 27-ball 50. Bethell kept up the pressure at the other end, smashing Zampa for four consecutive boundaries in the next over and breaking the Australia spinner's hold. With five overs to go, Bethell and Livingstone had brought the run rate down from near 10 to almost a run-a-ball with 31 needed.
Bethell was out for 44, bowled attempting to reverse Matt Short, with Sam Curran out two balls later holing out. After the two wickets in that over, Livingstone hit his biggest six of the innings in the 19th, smashing short into the River Taff outside the stadium over long on. Following a four two balls later, he was out bowled the very next ball, walking across his stumps.
Adil Rashid hit the winning runs with a single after Brydon Carse was caught first ball. The final T20I of the series will be played at Old Trafford on Sunday (September 15).
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