Liam Livingstone’s Fight for Fitness Ahead of T20 World Cup
The all-rounder has been battling a knee injury
Liam Livingstone’s past 18 months have been a battle against a nagging knee injury. The pain, he reveals, became a constant companion, draining his enthusiasm for the game he loved. It even landed him “in a pretty bad spot,” as he described it. However, a recent injection has brought a glimmer of hope. During England’s T20I series against Pakistan, Livingstone finally stepped onto the field pain-free, a stark contrast to the struggles he’d been facing.
This recent development comes after a whirlwind year for Livingstone. He defied the odds in 2022, rushing back from an ankle injury to be part of England’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. He was even present at the non-striker’s end, witnessing the iconic winning shot from Ben Stokes firsthand. Yet, fate seemed to have other plans. Shortly after, while making his Test debut in Pakistan, he suffered a right knee injury while fielding. This new setback proved to be a turning point, impacting both his form and fitness significantly.
The effects were evident in subsequent tournaments. At the 50-over World Cup in India, his runs dwindled, with a total of only 60 across six innings. Franchise T20 matches at the beginning of this year painted a similar picture. His average dipped to a concerning 15.75 over 18 innings, with a highest score of just 38 not out. The situation became so concerning that Livingstone made the difficult decision to cut his IPL stint short and focus on getting his knee “sorted” once and for all.
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The recent injection seems to be a turning point. Livingstone himself is cautiously optimistic, hoping that this medical intervention will finally put an end to the persistent problem that has plagued him for so long. With the pain hopefully a thing of the past, fans can look forward to seeing Livingstone back in top form, his powerful hitting and dynamic fielding once again on display.
“It’s not been the most enjoyable 18 months of trying to play with a niggle,” he said. “It kind of drains your spirit, drains your enjoyment of cricket. I was in a pretty crap place at the end of the IPL… thankfully, the injection seems to have worked, and just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me. I feel like I’ve got a smile on my face again, and I’m enjoying playing cricket.
“This series, I came in a lot happier, enjoying my cricket a little bit more – and being able to move my feet when I bat also really helps. I feel like I’ve got a smile on my face, and that’s all that really matters to me.”
Despite England’s recent training camp fostering team cohesion, Liam Livingstone, their designated finisher, saw limited action due to the rain-shortened series against Pakistan. He only managed to face three deliveries.
“It seemed like the series never got going, to be honest. I feel like we’ve just spent the whole time in a hotel room or on the bus.”
Livingstone’s middle-order batting position in the T20 World Cup can be unpredictable. Despite participating in the last two tournaments, his contributions were minimal. In England’s victorious 2022 campaign, he only faced 44 balls. Similarly, he saw limited action with just 29 deliveries during their 2021 semi-final run. Recognizing this, Livingstone acknowledges the need to “find his rhythm” through dedicated training once they reach the Caribbean for the upcoming World Cup.
“The winter didn’t go as well as I would’ve liked, but it is what it is,” he said. “Everybody goes through a run in their career where they have a bit of a rut, so hopefully I’m on the other side of that. It may not be in the group stage – but hopefully when my opportunity comes, I can show that I’m in a bit better nick than what I was.
“It’s a different role for me. I’ve always batted No. 3, 4, 5, and even at the top of the order when I first came through. You’ve got to manage your expectations and realize that actually, when the time comes, I’m going to get an opportunity – at some time, at some point – to win a game of cricket for England. Hopefully, when that time comes, I’m ready to take it.”
While Livingstone’s batting opportunities might be limited due to his middle-order position, he could prove to be a crucial asset with the ball in the upcoming Caribbean tournament. England boasts four strong spin options, including Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Will Jacks, and Livingstone himself.
Livingstone showcased his bowling prowess on Thursday night, cleverly combining leg-spin and off-spin to take an impressive 2 for 17 in just three overs. Notably, he even achieved a rare double-wicket maiden in the 15th over, further highlighting his bowling potential.
“I love coming back to play for England because Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] really trust my bowling, which not many people do in different competitions,” he said. “It’s a difficult role batting at No. 7: I faced three balls in this series and may not face a ball until we get out there and we’re 60 for 5, so I’ve got to try and contribute differently.
“[It’s about] being able to do that with the ball or whatever it is in the field. I’ve got to keep developing as a cricketer and certainly, being able to bowl is part of that. I guess that’s the cool thing about being able to contribute in all three facets of the game: whenever you’re called upon, you’ve got an opportunity.”
“We feel like we’ve got all bases covered,” Livingstone said. “The group’s in a very good place. I think we’re in a much better place than what we were six months ago, which is pretty exciting for all of us… the boys are really looking forward to getting going.”
Eager to kick off their World Cup campaign, England set sail for Barbados on Friday morning. Their first challenge is against Scotland next Tuesday.
