Liam’s Royals appointment

CHRIS OSTICK

LIAM Livingstone will play in the Indian Premier League next year.

The former Lancashire captain was bought by the Rajastan Royals for £56,000 during the auction last week.

He will join Red Rose team-mate Jos Buttler there, along with England’s Ben Stokes and hot prospect Jofra Archer as well as former Australia skipper Steve Smith.

“I’m extremely excited to be given the opportunity to join up with the Royals for the 2019 IPL. I can’t wait to get out to India and get started,” said the 25-year-old.

The IPL runs from March 29 to May 19, which means he will miss Lancashire’s opening Specsavers County Championship match against Middlesex at Lord’s and possibly the second one at home to Northamptonshire, as well as the whole group stage of the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Livingstone, who gave up the captaincy last month in a bid to concentrate on his form, has also signed for the Karachi Kings to play in the Pakistan Super League in February.

Rajasthan lead owner Manoj Badale couldn’t hide his joy at securing Livingstone.

He said: “Liam is a player we were really keen to get.

“Developing players has always been an integral part of Rajasthan Royals vision.

“Players like Liam Livingstone and Jofra Archer will have plenty of opportunities to play on the biggest stage, learning from some of the world’s best.

“England has one of the best pools of players coming through and I hope that the England fans will keep a close eye on Liam’s progress and support the Royals throughout IPL 2019.”

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s player of the Year Tom Bailey has earned a first call-up to the England Lions squad.

The bowler, who was leading wicket-taker in Division One of the County Championship last season, is one of three new recruits for the squad which will tour India in January and February.

The 27-year-old is in the ‘Test’ squad, which will play two matches, while Red Rose team-mates Saqib Mahmood and Alex Davies are in the squad for the five one-day games.