Liam passed fit to join touring party

CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK LIAM Livingstone feared he would miss England’s Test series against New Zealand after snapping a ligament in his ankle.

However, after a week of hard work and rehab, the Lancashire batsman has been passed fit to jet out with the tour party.

Livingstone suffered the nasty-sounding injury 10 days ago while preparing for England Lions’ third ‘Test’ against the West Indies A in the Caribbean.

He was flown home for treatment, and feared he would miss what will be his first Test tour with England.

“There was a little bit of a worry when I came back from the Lions trip,” Livingstone said.

“I snapped the ligament in my ankle. It was sore when I did it, so I knew I had done something to it. It was worrying.

“But I have worked hard with the medical staff here at Lancashire over the last week and it has healed quicker than it should have.

“I will probably have to have it strapped up. But I have trained over the last two days and, hopefully, that will be the end of it. I am fit and ready to go.”

Despite England’s humbling in the Ashes in their last Test series, Livingstone knows he faces a fight to get into the side for what is a short tour which includes just two Tests – especially with Ben Stokes back in the squad.

But the 24-year-old Lancashire captain believes just being around the squad will help his game, even if he doesn’t make his Test debut in either Auckland or Christchurch.

“I would be happy to bat from one to eleven to play Test cricket, this what you play the game for,” said Livingstone.

“If I don’t get the opportunity to play in a Test, it will still be a great month for me and my development by simply being in and around that group of players who are worldclass.

“I can bring that experience back to Lancashire for the start of the season.

“Two years ago today, I still hadn’t played a first-class cricket game, so the journey has been fairly quick for me.” ●● Isaac Hope