Liam Livingstone’s unbeaten 95 lifted England to a 79-run win over New Zealand in the second one-day international in Southampton on Sunday. England, who started the defense of their World Cup title against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5, slumped to 8-3 in a match that was reduced to 34 overs per side due to rain. They were still struggling at 55-5 in the 13th over when Livingstone came to bat. But he took England to 226-7 and New Zealand were then dismissed for 147 as the hosts leveled the four-match series at 1-1. Reece Topley, whose 3-27 ended a wait of over a year for an ODI wicket, and fellow left-arm quick David Willey (3-34) did the damage with the ball.
New Zealand great Trent Boult had marked his 100th ODI – and first in almost a year – by taking the first three English wickets to fall, with the experienced left-armer quickly removing Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
But Livingstone’s career-best ODI innings, a tribute to both his composure and his celebrated batting prowess, strengthened the tally and boosted his chances of selection for England’s final 15-man World Cup squad.
Sam Curran (42) provided excellent support to fellow all-rounder Livingstone in a sixth wicket stand of 112 in 77 balls.
“I wouldn’t quite say it was a rescue mission,” said man-of-the-match Livingstone.
“We pride ourselves on the depth of our at-bats and how we get out of situations like today. I thought Sammy (Curran) hit really well.”
Livingstone, whose 52 was a rare England highlight during their comprehensive eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand at Sophia Gardens on Friday, added: “It’s been a frustrating year for me… The innings in Cardiff has given me a lot well done.”
England captain Jos Buttler was delighted after a victory that ended a run of three consecutive white-ball defeats against New Zealand, who won the last two matches of a drawn Twenty20 series.
“From the position we were in, posting a score was a credit to the way we wanted to play,” he said. “The collaboration between Livingstone and Curran was fantastic.”
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham added: “I think we’re disappointed, we’ve got off to a great start with Trent Boult back in the mix… Putting up a score is probably harder (in a 34-over match) than knowing what’s going on had to happen. It was a great innings from Liam Livingstone, all credit to him.”
New Zealand, beaten by England in a dramatic 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s, lost a wicket on the second ball of their chase when great Finn Allen was bowled for a duck by Willey.
Devon Conway, fresh from a hundred in Cardiff, was then caught behind fast bowler Gus Atkinson for 14.
Off-spinner Moeen Ali then struck twice in three balls, with Daryl Mitchell – who also made a Cardiff century – falling for 57 to leave New Zealand on the brink at 140-8 before Willey brushed off the tail.
Earlier, Boult broke into England’s top spot after Latham won the toss at a then cloudy Rose Bowl.
Boult superbly had Bairstow caught one-handed by Mitchell Santner at cover and two balls later dismissed Root for a second ball clean with an inswinger. It was Root’s fourth duck in his last 10 ODI innings.
England were three behind when Stokes (one) mishandled Boult. The 34-year-old Boult had taken a remarkable three wickets for no runs in eight balls.
But Livingstone and Moeen stopped the rot during a 48-all stand before Curran provided fresh impetus.
Livingstone demonstrated his game awareness by not hitting a six to 73 balls in his innings when he pulled paceman Matt Henry.
The series continues on Wednesday at the Oval.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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