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English all-rounder Liam Livingstone believes he is starting a “new career” after more than two years of injury worries.
The 31-year-old returned quickly from an ankle ligament injury and was part of England’s triumph in the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, a few weeks later, he injured his knee in his only Test appearance in Pakistan.
Form and fitness issues have led England to exclude Livingstone from their current squad for one-day internationals, but he is still involved in the ongoing three-match T20 series against Australia.
The spinner showed his worth in all areas in the series opener at Southampton on Wednesday, scoring 3-22 and 37 runs from 27 balls, but his contributions could not prevent a 28-run defeat.
“I feel like a little kid again, to be honest, it feels like I’m starting a new career,” Livingstone said. “Life with aches and pains is not very fun.”
“Mentally in particular, it’s a great feeling to be able to play cricket again without pain. And I think that if I get back to my best form, I’ll be an asset to any cricket team I play in.”
“I’m back playing cricket with a smile on my face. That’s when I play my best. I hope it stays that way for a while.”
Livingstone earned a reputation as a finisher in white-ball cricket, whose aggressive batting style made him valuable at the end of matches.
But on Wednesday he was in the top four for only the ninth time in 49 T20s and enjoyed the added responsibility.
“Series like this, where you get a chance to move up, are a chance for me to stake my claim,” he said.
“I reckon winning T20 cricket matches for England might improve my chances of getting back into the one-day team. But it is what it is, I’m 31, I’m not going to sit here and cry because I didn’t get selected.”
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