MATCH REPORTLiam Livingstone's unbeaten 95 powered England to a 79-run win over New Zealand in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Southampton on Sunday (September 10).
England, who begin the defence of their World Cup title against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5, collapsed to 8 for 3 in a match reduced by rain to 34 overs per side. They were still struggling at 55 for 5 in the 13th over when Livingstone came into bat.
But he took England to 226 for 7, and New Zealand were then dismissed for 147 as the hosts levelled the four-match series at 1-1. Reece Topley, whose 3-27 ended a wait of over a year for an ODI wicket, and fellow left-arm quick David Willey (3 for 34) did the damage with the ball.
New Zealand great Trent Boult had marked his 100th ODI -- and first in nearly a year -- by taking the first three England wickets to fall, the veteran left-arm quick removing Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
But Livingstone's career-best ODI innings, a tribute to his composure as much as his celebrated hitting power, bolstered the total and enhanced his prospects of selection for England's final 15-man World Cup squad. Sam Curran (42) offered fellow all-rounder Livingstone excellent support in a sixth-wicket stand of 112 in 77 balls.
"I wouldn't quite say it was a rescue mission," said man-of-the-match Livingstone.
"We pride ourselves on depth in our batting and getting out of situations like today. I thought Sammy (Curran) batted really well."
Livingstone, whose 52 was a rare England highlight during their comprehensive eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand at Sophia Gardens on Friday, added: "It has been a frustrating year for me...The innings at Cardiff did myself the world of good."
Fantastic
England captain Jos Buttler was elated after a victory that ended a run of three straight white-ball losses to New Zealand, who won the last two matches of a drawn Twenty20 series.
"From the position we found ourselves in to post a score was credit to the way we wanted to play," he said. "The partnership between Livingstone and Curran was fantastic."
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham added, "I think we're disappointed, we started outstandingly with Boult back in the mix...Setting a score is probably harder (in a 34-over match) than knowing what was needed to do. It was a great innings from Liam Livingstone; credit to him."
New Zealand, defeated by England in a dramatic 2019 World Cup final at Lord's, lost a wicket to the second ball of their chase when the big-hitting Finn Allen was bowled for a duck by Willey.
Devon Conway, fresh from a hundred in Cardiff, was then caught behind off fast bowler Gus Atkinson for 14. Off-spinner Moeen Ali then struck twice in three balls, with Daryl Mitchell -- who also made a Cardiff century -- falling for 57 to leave New Zealand on the brink at 140 for 8 before Willey polished off the tail.
Earlier, Boult ripped through England's top order after Latham won the toss at a then overcast Rose Bowl. Boult had Bairstow superbly caught one-handed by Mitchell Santner at cover and, two balls later, dismissed Root for a second-ball nought with an inswinger. It was Root's fourth duck in his last 10 ODI innings.
England were three down when Stokes (one) miscued Boult. The 34-year-old Boult had taken a remarkable three wickets for no runs in eight balls. But Livingstone and Moeen stopped the rot during a stand of 48 before Curran added fresh impetus.
Livingstone demonstrated his game awareness by not hitting a six until 73 balls into his innings when he pulled paceman Matt Henry. The series continues at the Oval on Wednesday (September 13).
Brief scores:
England 226 for 7 in 34 overs (Liam Livingstone 95*, Sam Curran 42; Trent Boult 3 for 37) beat New Zealand 147 in 26.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 57, Will Young 33; Reece Topley 3 for 27) by 79 runs
Player of the match: Liam Livingstone
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