Portugal Colonial - England's Livingstone 'feels like a kid again' after injury setbacks

The 31-year-old rushed back from ankle ligament damage to feature in England's 2022 T20 World Cup triumph, but then injured his knee a few weeks later in his lone Test appearance in Pakistan.

Problems with both form and fitness have led England to omit Livingstone from their current one-day international squad, but he remains involved in the ongoing three-match T20 series against Australia.

The spinner showed his all-round worth in Wednesday's series opener in Southampton, taking 3-22 and scoring a quickfire 37 off 27 balls, although his contributions were unable to prevent a 28-run loss.

"I feel like a little kid again, I feel like I'm starting a new career to be honest," Livingstone said. "Life with niggles is not very fun.

"Mentally, more than anything, it feels really nice to be back playing cricket pain-free and I think, if I get back to my best, I feel like I'm an asset to any cricket team I play in.

"I'm back playing cricket with a smile on my face, that's when I play at my best. Fingers crossed it stays that way for a while."

Livingstone earned his reputation in white-ball cricket as a 'finisher' whose aggressive batting style made him valuable at the end of matches.

But on Wednesday he batted in the top four for only the ninth time in 49 T20s, and enjoyed the additional responsibility.

"Series like these where you get an opportunity further up the order, it's a chance for me to stake my claim," he said.

"I guess winning games of T20 cricket for England may enhance my chances of getting back into the one-day team. But it is what it is, I'm 31, I'm not going to sit here and cry about not being picked."

P.Mira--PC