Cardiff, UK – England levelled the three-match T20I series against Australia in a thrilling contest, winning by 3 wickets with 6 balls remaining in the 2nd T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on September 13, 2024. Liam Livingstone played a pivotal role, smashing 87 off 47 balls and claiming 2 wickets for 16 runs, earning him the Player of the Match title.
Australia Posts a Competitive Total
Australia, led by stand-in captain Travis Head, posted a challenging 193/6 after being put into bat by England. Head got off to a flying start with a blistering 31 off 14 balls, striking 4 fours and 2 sixes. He was well-supported by Jake Fraser-McGurk, who anchored the innings with a solid 50 off 31 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis contributed a quickfire 42 off 26.
England’s bowlers struggled initially, with only Brydon Carse (2/26) and Liam Livingstone (2/16) able to keep things in check. Livingstone’s spin proved effective, taking key wickets of Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis to stem the Australian charge.
Liam Livingstone’s Heroics in the Chase
England’s chase got off to a mixed start as they lost Will Jacks (12) and Jordan Cox (0) early to Sean Abbott. However, captain Phil Salt counter-attacked with a breezy 39 off 23 before falling to Matthew Short. At 79/3, the game was finely balanced.
It was Liam Livingstone’s masterclass that turned the tide in England’s favor. His explosive knock of 87 off 47 balls, including 6 fours and 5 sixes, took the game away from Australia. Livingstone found an able partner in Jacob Bethell, who contributed a crucial 44 off 24 balls, as the duo added 90 runs for the fourth wicket.
Despite a late wobble with the dismissals of Livingstone and Bethell in quick succession, Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid ensured England crossed the line with an over to spare.
Matthew Short’s Five-Wicket Haul in Vain
Australia’s standout bowler was Matthew Short, who picked up an impressive 5/22 in 3 overs, dismissing key batters including Salt, Livingstone, and Bethell. However, Short’s heroics were not enough as England’s batting depth carried them to victory.
Key Performers:
- Liam Livingstone: A match-winning all-round performance with 87 runs off 47 balls and 2 wickets for just 16 runs.
- Jake Fraser-McGurk: Anchored Australia’s innings with a well-crafted 50 off 31 balls.
- Matthew Short: Recorded a brilliant 5-wicket haul (5/22), but his efforts went in vain as Australia failed to defend their total.
Match Records and Milestones:
- Liam Livingstone’s 87 is one of the highest individual scores in a successful T20I chase for England.
- Matthew Short’s 5/22 is one of the best bowling figures by an Australian in T20Is, but it ended in a losing cause.
- England’s victory levels the three-match series 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider in the 3rd T20I.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 193/6 in 20 overs (Jake Fraser-McGurk 50, Josh Inglis 42, Liam Livingstone 2/16)
England: 194/7 in 19 overs (Liam Livingstone 87, Jacob Bethell 44, Matthew Short 5/22)
Match Result: England won by 3 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)
With this victory, England will head into the series decider with momentum as both teams look to clinch the 3-match T20I series.
