Liam Livingstone, the 31-year-old all-rounder of the England national cricket team, has issued an important statement after ECB managing director Rob Key dropped him from the ODI squad.
A few weeks ago, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the squads for the T20Is and ODIs against Australia, with several new faces being given opportunities and veterans being left out. A couple of England cricketers, Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali, even announced their retirement after England dropped them.
Two of the key absentees from the ODI squad were Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone, who are considered superstars of cricket. Livingstone spoke openly about his removal from the ODI squad and revealed that it was Rob Key’s decision to leave him out of the team.
However, Liam Livingstone retained his position in the T20I squad and was promoted to number 4 for the first game against Australia where he top-scored with 37 runs and took 3 wickets with the ball.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old said he is at a loss as to how to organise a return to the ODI team but made it clear that he will not cry about it as there are many more opportunities these days in cricket.
“I don’t really know, that’s one of my challenges. That’s why I’m happy to have the opportunity to bat in the order.” [in the T20Is]”I feel like I’ve shown over the last few weeks, maybe a month, that the longer I bat in matches, the more chances I have of affecting them,” Liam Livingstone was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“I feel like I’ve done it in 50-overs cricket as well – if you take away the World Cup, I feel like I would have done it in lower positions. But it is what it is – I’m 31, I’m not going to sit here and cry about not being picked. There’s plenty of cricket to be played around the world, and if I’m not involved in the ODIs then there are plenty more opportunities.”
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in ODIs, but it’s still not something I’m giving up on – Liam Livingstone
Furthermore, Liam Livingstone has confirmed that he has not given up on the dream of returning to ODI action. He said:
“I want to play as much cricket for England as possible. Unfortunately I won’t be able to play ODIs but it’s not something I’m giving up on. I’ve had a tough couple of years. My body has probably let me down a little bit and I’ve maybe not been at my best physically, with a couple of niggles here and there.”
Liam Livingstone last played an ODI match for England on 9 December 2023 against West Indies at Bridgetown. In total, he has scored 558 runs at an average of 29.36 and taken 17 wickets at an average of 30.76, an economy of 5.54 and a strike rate of 33.2 after playing 25 ODIs.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder further revealed that he is now fully fit after suffering several injuries in the recent past and is ready to contribute to the best of his abilities. He said:
“I can run 100 percent on the field and I can throw and hit as well as I can, which is something I probably haven’t been able to do for two and a half years.”
Moreover, Liam Livingstone, after being guaranteed by the ECB to bat at number 4 in the T20Is in Australia, is aiming to make the most of it.
“It’s up to me to make sure I try to do my best and give them a little bit of a headache in the next series. I don’t think we’ll see anyone wanting to bat lower in the order. I want that responsibility,” he said.
“I want to try and win cricket matches for England and the higher up the rankings the more chance you have of doing that. There are fewer people who can play that role.” [at No. 6] And sometimes you have to accept it with all your might… [but] “This is an opportunity to assert my rights,” added Liam Livingstone.