THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS
Liam’s explosive hitting lights up Headingley
ENGLAND levelled the T20 series against Pakistan with an all-round display of power to send fans home singing in the sunshine.
With Eoin Morgan resting, Jos Buttler was at the helm and he oversaw a 45-run win built on him top scoring with the bat and a man-of-thematch effort from spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali.
But it was two stunning pieces of brutal brilliance from Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid that stole the show to make it 1-1 with a decider to come tomorrow night at Old Trafford.
Livingstone, fresh from his record-breaking T20 ton on Friday, sent the ball into orbit and out of the ground with two huge sixes during his innings of 38.
His second monster maximum amazingly cleared the new towering stand at Headingley protecting the rugby ground.
It was yet another sign of the power required in this format of the game and where the T20 World Cup could be won and lost.
And then with Pakistan making a mad dash for their target of 201, Rashid’s one-handed flying catch to dismiss the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan for 37 epitomised the way England’s spinners put the skids under the visitors.
“That was a huge hit by Liam – but I’ve definitely hit one bigger,” said Moeen with a smile. “That is the power that he’s got, I once saw him hit one out of Jo’burg, and he’s playing so well.
“Cricket is going this way and it just seems like guys are getting stronger in the gym and getting bigger so they can hit the ball further.”
Moeen is not one of the big guys but his technique more than makes up for it and his sweet timing with the bat was on display once more with a rare chance to star up the order.
Coming in at four and with the score 18-2 Moeen showed his potential value by adding 67 in just five overs with Buttler.
It is what he does to great effect in the IPL and in scoring 36 from 16 balls he showed how he can be a match-winning talent in T20 cricket if used the right way, which is now England’s challenge.
His display certainly caught they eye of Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara in the commentary box who said: “Moeen Ali is such a valuable player for the England side – the No.1 spinner by far in Test cricket and the No.1 spinning all-rounder by far in white-ball cricket.”
And Moeen was adamant that the five-test series against India next month is something he wants to be a part of.
“To get an opportunity up the order was fantastic and to bowl some overs was great,” he added.
“As an all-rounder you want to get involved as much as possible and take your chance when you get it.
“I jut want to play as much cricket as I can for England.”