I AM MORE THAN A GUY WHO CAN JUST A HIT FEW SIXES, SAYS LIVINGSTONE

Pretoria Capitals’ Liam Livingstone has continued his resurgence in the international game with an imposing 124 not out off 85 balls to help England level the ODI series against West Indies in Antigua.

Livingstone has been in supreme form since recovering from a knee injury that has plagued him for the two previous seasons. The 31-year-old’s last nine white-ball international innings have yielded returns of 37, 87 ( both T20Is), 13, 0, 33*, 62*, 0, 48, 124* (all ODIs).

Livingstone’s latest onslaught was a masterclass in shepherding a run chase with his first 50 taking him 60 balls before his next only 17.

Of his nine sixes, eight came in the final 25 balls of his innings. It allowed England to chase down the Windies’ 328/6 with 15 balls and five wickets to spare.

"People see me as this guy who can go in and smack a few sixes in a T20 innings," Livingstone said. "But I see my ability as being able to hit more than a couple of sixes - being able to do things like I've done today."

Livingstone is also leading England on their white-ball tour of the Caribbean in the absence of the regular captain Jos Buttler. It is the responsibility he has craved for and is certainly bringing the best out of him.

“I had two years when I should’ve done more than I did,” Livingstone explained. "But at the end of summer I felt I was getting back to my best, maturing a little and knowing my game... I'm enjoying my cricket and if I'm enjoying my cricket, I usually play well.

“I don’t always think I was given the responsibility that I wanted. It’s a two-way thing. I’ve just asked for a bit more responsibility. I’ve always believed in my abilities.”

Paarl Royals duo John Turner and Jacob Bethell also played their part in England’s victory with Turner claiming 2/42 and Bethell also striking a fluent 55 off 57 balls.