England cricketer Liam Livingstone is relishing the opportunity to make his much-awaited ODI debut against one of the “best teams in the world” India in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match ODI series on Friday (March 26) at Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune.
The 27-year-old was given an ODI debut cap for the second ODI after England captain Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings were ruled out of the remaining two ODIs of the series in India due to respective injuries.
Livingstone is returning to the England squad after four years having played his last T20I in 2017 and now he is ready to go out and perform for his team, saying this is a great chance for him to test himself against one of the best teams in the world Team India in India.
However, the right-hander said it’s not nice to see teammates getting injured and make way this way into the playing XI in such a situation, but he hoped Morgan and Billings would recover before IPL 2021.
Livingstone said: “They played some really good cricket this series and at the back end of the T20I series and the ODI. It is a great chance for me to test myself against one of the best teams in the world.”
The all-rounder further added, “It is obviously not nice to see teammates getting injured but fingers crossed they are not quite serious as they could have been so. Speedy recovery for them too, hopefully, they will be back before the IPL.”
The occasional spin bowler has been recalled to England squad following his brilliant performance in this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21, wherein he scored 426 runs for runners-up Perth Scorchers.
Commenting on his England comeback, Liam said: “It is not just any other team that you are trying to get into, the team is world champion and probably the best white-ball side in the world at the moment.”
Livingstone signed off by saying, “So, it is not something that you just walk-in to and I guess being around the group makes you more familiar and comfortable. I really enjoyed my time being around the group even though I’ve not been playing. Now, it is my turn to go and perform for England.”
(With India Today Inputs)
