Livingstone just the sort of player we need – Stokes
BEN Stokes says ‘fearless’ Liam Livingstone won’t be overawed by making his England ODI debut against India today.
The Lancashire batsman has been called into the side for the second match in the three-games series in Pune following injuries to Sam Billings and captain Eoin Morgan.
Livingstone, 27, played in two T20 internationals in 2017, and struggled to make an impression.
However Stokes, who has played with Livingstone in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, believes he is the sort of player the world champions are looking for.
“Livi’s one of those guys who I think won’t let the occasion get on top of him,” said fellow Cumbrian Stokes.
“He’s a fearless cricketer and has got the type of attitude we want in our set-up going forward.
“He’s been very impressive in training. He’s progressed as a batsman and he’s a very dangerous player.”
Livingstone has toured the world playing T20 franchise cricket, helping Perth Scorchers reach the final of the Big Bash over the winter.
And now he is relishing the chance to show what he can do on the international stage once again.
“I have spent a lot of time around this group over last summer and the winter, so it is nice to be able to finally get a chance,” said the former Lancashire captain, who was in the bio-secure bubble with England last year.
“I am absolutely ready – the first time around was very different to now and I have been waiting for this opportunity for a while now.
“This is not just any old team you are trying to get into. They are world champions.”
Livingstone – who looks set to bat at six – will have a familiar face captaining him, with Lancashire team-mate Jos Buttler taking over as skipper following the injury to Morgan.
Morgan required four stitches in his right hand after tearing the webbing between his thumb and index finger in the defeat to India in the opening match of the series.
England have also drafted in Dawid Malan, the world’s number one T20 batsman, who could step up to the number three slot.
“I had the hand re-dressed before the start of training but it quickly became apparent that I found myself protecting the injury and getting into the wrong positions to catch the ball,” said Morgan. “There’s nowhere to hide on the field in international cricket these days.”