Livingstone out to pass biggest Test

LIAM Livingstone believes his emergence as one of the most feared white-ball players in the world may have cost him a dream Ashes call-up, but still feels he can be a force in Test cricket if England ‘take a punt’.

- RORY DOLLARD

Over the past year the Lancashire allrounder’s career has touched new heights, becoming the six-hitting star attraction of The Hundred and marking his comeback to the international fold with a 42-ball T20 century against Pakistan - the fastest hundred by an England batter.

He was also an ever-present in the run to the last four of the T20 World Cup, showing his all-round skills with a superb spell of spin bowling in the semi-final defeat to New Zealand.

His form has been so dazzling at times many fans, and several high-profile pundits thought he was a shoo-in to be part of this winter’s trip to Australia.

Instead, he was omitted from the senior squad and the Lions group which is currently shadowing them Down Under and will spend the next couple of weeks 7,000 miles away captaining the host franchise in the Abu Dhabi T10 league.