'LIVI' AND BETHELL DELIVER ‘INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE’

The Pretoria Capitals will be smiling after a fit-again Liam Livingstone showed off his powerful ball-hitting display on Friday night to help England level the T20I series against Australia in Cardiff.

Livingstone, who is finally free from a string of injuries that has hampered his ability over the past couple of years, belted 87 off 47 balls (6x4 ; 5x6) on his 50th T2OI appearance for England to take the hosts home with three wickets and over to spare.

The all-rounder has also earlier claimed 2/16 with his leg-spinners to restrict Australia to 193/6.

Livingstone, who has moved from MI Cape Town to the Capitals, is certainly relishing the added responsibility of being a senior player within an inexperienced England line-up, as he played a crucial role in guiding young Jacob Bethell.

The pair put on 90 off just 47 balls for the fourth wicket to break the back of the run chase.

Not that the 20-year-old Bethell, who has been signed by the Paarl Royals as a wildcard for the upcoming Betway SA20 season, needed much guidance.

A precocious talent, Bethell played with the all freedom of youth, as the dynamic left-hander took down Australia’s most experienced bowler on the night Adam Zampa.

He launched the leg-spinner deep into the Sophia Gardens stands during a vicious assault that yielded four consecutive boundaries.

Bethell’s quick feet were astounding as he danced down the pitch to meet the ball on the full before whipping the ball through the leg-side. He then showed off his all-round game by moving back deep into his crease to crunch the next ball through the off-side. 

"Incredible performance, what Livi did was second to none. To see Beth come out and play the way he did, pace his innings and take their best bowler down, really impressed,” said England captain Phil Salt.

“He (Bethell) is a real talent, the way he took down Zampa, not many could do that in their second international game. 

“He's (Livingstone) played a lot of cricket, he's no mug. Started really well, five wickets and 100-plus runs in two games, hopefully he can take that to Old Trafford.”