Liam Livingstone delivered a “coming-of-age knock” in England’s win in the second one-day international against West Indies in Antigua, said former captain Sir Alastair Cook.
The stand-in skipper struck an unbeaten 124 from 85 balls to power his side to a five-wicket win, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
Livingstone, 31, has received criticism for a perceived one-dimensional approach to 50-over batting, prioritising fast scoring over building innings that would take the team to victory.
“He will be really satisfied that, under pressure, he delivered. He has finished the job for the first time,” Cook said on TNT Sports.
“That was up and down the gears playing the situation, and to be there at the end was wonderful for him.
“That was freakish playing at the end. You have seen a change in his determination – he was never getting out there. That was a coming-of-age knock for him.”
Livingstone came in with England 107-3, 222 runs short of their target of 329, and with almost 30 overs left to play.
He played surprisingly cautiously, scoring 42 from his first 50 balls, but accelerated from that point, scoring 82 from 35, the fastest ever acceleration post-50 balls by an England batter.
It took his side to a win with 15 balls to spare and brought life to a series which looked set to be one-sided after England were hammered by eight wickets in the first ODI on Thursday.
“Fair play to him, he was under scrutiny and pressure after Thursday’s game,” added Cook.
“When as a captain with the next opportunity you deliver the goods – that will do wonders for him.”
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