England vs Australia: Liam Livingstone has shown selectors he should be part of ODI squads, says Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad, the former fast bowler, believes that Liam Livingstone's impressive unbeaten score of 62 demonstrates to the England selectors why he deserves a spot in the white-ball teams.

Livingstone delivered an incredible performance, including three fours and seven sixes, which helped England achieve a massive total of 312-5 in a match affected by rain. His fifty was the quickest ever recorded in ODI history at Lord's.

Due to the weather, the match was shortened to 39 overs for each team. However, England managed to score eight runs more than Australia’s 304 for seven in a complete 50-over match in Durham during the third ODI.

Livingstone wasn’t part of the initial one-day team, but after Jos Buttler suffered a calf injury that stopped him from playing, the all-rounder from Lancashire was brought in as a replacement.

"That's precisely what England is expecting from Livingstone," Broad mentioned during an appearance on Sky Sports Cricket.

It's important to keep in mind that Livingstone wasn't part of the initial team.

He's demonstrated to the England selectors precisely why he deserves a spot in the white-ball teams, and hopefully, he will contribute to securing victories for England.

He has consistently displayed remarkable strength, delivers visually impressive shots, and strikes the ball with great power.

At times, it might seem like a mere trick or a steal, but today it appeared very composed and steady. He managed to score against one of the top death bowlers globally, Mitchell Starc.

"England is looking for players who have the ability to transform their performance, and Livingstone is one of them."

Livingstone delivered an explosive performance in the last over, scoring 28 runs by launching Starc (0-70) for four sixes and a four. This impressive display helped England elevate their score from 284-5 to a commanding 312-5, a total they successfully defended in just 25 overs.

It was the costliest over bowled by an Australian in men’s ODI cricket history.

"I believe Australia adjusted their tempo too drastically. At Lord's, you need to make more nuanced adjustments because the pitch usually provides some assistance," Broad commented.

Australia used a number of slow bouncers in their bowling, and for someone like Starc, who's known as one of the top bowlers during the final overs, it would have been better to pitch the ball a bit wider to Livingstone.

"Such mistakes can alter the outcome of a game."

Livingstone capitalized on the foundation established by opener Ben Duckett, who scored 63 runs, and captain Harry Brook, who contributed 87 runs.

These combined efforts allowed England to achieve a massive 186-run win, tying the five-match series at 2-2. Everything is now at stake for their final match in Bristol on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

"The batting team had exceeded expectations significantly," Broad remarked.

"When you have a good surface to play on, the bowlers can really showcase their skills. Winning the toss was a big advantage, as the conditions had some movement, and England's bowlers performed exceptionally well."

Duckett has been focusing on making his shots more accurate, recognizing that opponents are likely to throw fuller deliveries his way.

All the effort he has invested has yielded positive results, as he understands that the opposing team will keep their fielders close at mid-on and mid-off for him.

Today was a perfect illustration of how his dedication and effort yielded positive results.

In both white-ball and red-ball cricket, the selectors focus more on how well players fulfill their specific responsibilities for the team rather than just looking at the number of hundreds they score.

"When Duckett scores 60 or 70 runs, he's laying the groundwork for his team, which is a crucial part of his job. He’s known for making runs, and it’s understandable that he feels disappointed about not having more centuries. However, the impact he’s made in setting the team's momentum has been outstanding."

Ponting: Livingstone Puts Pressure On Bowlers

In the T20 games against Australia earlier this month, Liam Livingstone made impressive contributions with scores of 37 and 87, aiding England in equalizing the series at 1-1.

The 35-year-old has carried that same energy into the ODI series, positioning himself for a more lasting spot on the team with the Champions Trophy approaching next year.

"I believe anyone who has watched Liam Livingstone in action recognizes his potential. I've witnessed him perform at this level several times," remarked former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

"It's all about how well you hit the ball; sometimes you can just barely miss it, and it will sail right past you."

"When you find yourself at the pinnacle of your run-up as a bowler, you become acutely aware of the situation, and that creates a sense of pressure."

"It was top-notch. We often discuss momentum, and any sense of momentum Australia believed they had disappeared during the final four overs."

England Vs Australia Schedule: Watch Live On Sky Sports

Catch the last ODI match between England and Australia at The Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol, airing live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:30 AM on Sunday, September 29 (with the first ball bowled at 11:00 AM). You can also watch it without a subscription through NOW.

(c) Sky Sports 2024: England vs Australia: Stuart Broad believes that Liam Livingstone has demonstrated to the selectors that he deserves a spot in the ODI teams.