Liam left off ‘standby’ list but Dom gets a call
LIAM LIVINGSTONE was conspicuous by his absence from the England Lions squad that will shadow the senior side in Australia this winter, but Dom Sibley was handed an Ashes lifeline.
While Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood were included in a 14-strong party that will head Down Under on November 4, their Lancashire team-mate Livingstone has been overlooked.
The all-rounder had a prolific white-ball summer with the bat and retains Test ambitions, averaging 38.36 after 62 first-class matches, but it is understood the omission frees him up to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League.
The exclusions of Livingstone, leg-spinner Parkinson and fast bowler Mahmood from the Ashes squad last week were criticised by former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan.
England and Wales Cricket Board performance director Mo Bobat explained why Livingstone was down the pecking order.
‘Liam’s clearly a player of high potential,’ he said. ‘From a red-ball perspective, quite simply, it felt like there were other players ahead of him right now.
‘He’s done incredibly in whiteball cricket but some of his redball numbers in the last couple of years might not have been what he’s wanted and he’s probably missed a bit of cricket from being around England environments.
‘It’s worth saying from Liam’s perspective that he’s a player of potential but for any player that’s in and around (Australia) and might be in the country, they become playing resources we might have to call on.’
Parkinson, who has taken 102 first-class wickets at 23.35, and Mahmood, who could have given England added pace in the absence of Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Olly Stone, are at least part of the second string. They could push their case to be upgraded to the main contingent in two intra-squad matches, while there will also be a four-day fixture against Australia before they head home on December 16.
Warwickshire opener Sibley is also in the party, having missed out on a central contract last week and been left out of the Ashes squad following a prolonged lean run of form.