Liam Livingstone will be key for England in ODI World Cup, says Eoin Morgan

2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan reckons Liam Livingstone will be key for England in the forthcoming ODI World Cup. Livingstone has been included in England’s provisional World Cup squad and there is no doubt that he is going to hold the key for Three Lions while batting in the middle order.

The right-hander smashed a blistering knock of 95 runs off just 78 balls in a rain-truncated match against New Zealand on Sunday. England posted a par score of 226-7 in their 34 overs whereas New Zealand was skittled out for only 147. Thus, the hosts registered a convincing win of 79 runs to level the series 1-1.

Livingstone scored nine fours and one six in his blistering knock and he was awarded Player of the Match.

“He is a smart cricketer,” former England white captain Morgan said of Livingstone as quoted by Sky Sports.

“He is a key part of this 50-over team because of his all-round ability. In the field, he is unbelievably good and his ability to bowl both finger spin and wrist spin makes him a dead cert to play every game,” Morgan further added.

On the other hand, Livingstone can bowl both off as well as leg-spin and said he has been working hard on his bowling skills to deliver the goods for England.

“I work on my bowling to become a genuine all-rounder. It does not come as naturally to me as batting does,” said Livingstone.

“I have changed a few things with my bowling, it sounds weird but I am in more of a development phase. I only made the change about three weeks ago so hopefully I willl keep getting better and better,” he further added.

In fact, England’s top-order had found itself in tatters at 28-4 but the lower middle order got the job done for the hosts. On the other hand, Reece Topley and David Willey scalped three wickets each whereas Moeen Ali bagged two wickets.

The third ODI between England and New Zealand will be played at Kennington Oval, London on Wednesday.