Test cricket the pinnacle for Lancs ace

Stokes and Steve Smith. Just being in and around the guys was great fun.”

The 25-year-old is confident his experiences have made him a better player.

“I would hope so,” he said. “Just the experience of watching people play and playing in different conditions. The standard of both tournaments is as close to international cricket as you’ll get.

“The seamers in Pakistan are probably the best in the world. Each team has someone who bowls 90-plus (mph), if not two or three. Then the spinners, when you get to the IPL, are outstanding.

“You are facing international cricketers in your net practice.

“It was definitely a learning experience and I’d be very disappointed if it hasn’t made me a better player.”

Livingstone returned to action for Lancashire in their Royal London One-Day Cup knockout games over the weekend, scoring four in the eliminator win over Middlesex at Lord’s on Friday and 22 in the semi-final defeat to Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday.

He opened the batting in both games.

Lancashire have now got nine back-to-back Championship games before the start of the Vitality Blast in mid-July as they bid to secure an immediate return to Division One.

“It’s a massive period coming up for us,” he added. “Our goal is to get back into Division One and to do that we’ve got to win games of cricket.”

Jimmy Anderson isn’t in the Lancashire squad to face Northamptonshire after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s game with Hampshire.

The England ace was struck on the left knee by the ball, and had to go off the field.

However, after being assessed by Lancashire’s medical staff, it is believed Anderson has suffered heavy bruising and has not needed to have the knee x-rayed.