LIVINGSTONE OVERTAKES STOINIS AS NO 1 T20 ALLROUNDER

Pretoria Capitals’ Liam Livingstone’s rejuvenation has peaked after he became the No.1-ranked ICC men's T20I allrounder on Thursday. 

After enduring a string of niggling injuries the past two years, Livingstone is finally fully-fit and is reaping the rewards. 

The Englishman was in superb form during the recent T20I series against Australia, striking 124 runs and taking five wickets across the two matches. 

His powerful 87 off 47 balls in Cardiff in the second T20I was crucial in helping England level the series at 1-1. The series decider at  Livingstone’s home ground, Old Trafford, was washed out. 

"I want that responsibility. I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that. There's less people that can play that role [at No. 6] and sometimes you've got to take it on the chin… [but] this is a chance for me to stake my claim."

Livingstone’s performances saw him skyrocket seven places up the rankings, overtaking Durban’s Super Giants Australian import Marcus Stoinis in the process. Stoinis, who had a quiet series with both bat and bat against England, has 211 points in comparison to Livingstone’s 253.

Livingstone will be playing out of Centurion for the first time in Betway SA20 Season 3 after moving from MI Cape Town.

The highest ranked South African on the ICC allrounder rankings list is Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram. 

The SEC skipper is in 9th place with 173 points.