England all-rounder Liam Livingstone shared that his knee injury left him in a ‘crap place’ following his IPL 2024 stint with the Punjab Kings. The Lancashire cricketer also mentioned that the persistent niggle over the past 18 months had diminished his enjoyment of the game.
Livingstone returned home from IPL 2024, missing the final two matches to address his knee issue before the T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old had a modest season in the league, scoring 111 runs in seven matches and taking three wickets.
He discussed the injury after England’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth T20I on Thursday, May 30. The powerful batter mentioned that an anti-inflammatory injection has provided relief, allowing him to smile again. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he said:
“It’s not been the most enjoyable 18 months of trying to play with a niggle. It kind of drains your spirit, drains your enjoyment of cricket. I was in a pretty crap place at the end of the IPL… thankfully, the injection seems to have worked and just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me.”
“I feel like I’ve got a smile on my face again, and I’m enjoying playing cricket.”
The spin-bowling all-rounder has appeared in only 12 T20 World Cup matches, but his recent bowling performance against Pakistan is promising. He recorded figures of 1/9 in Birmingham and 2/17 in London.
“Have to find a different way to contribute”- Liam Livingstone
Livingstone only faced three balls in the four-match series against Pakistan. He acknowledged that he might only get the opportunity to play a lengthy innings if England’s top-order collapses, stating:
“I love coming back to play for England because Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] really trust my bowling, which not many people do in different competitions. It’s a difficult role batting at No. 7: I faced three balls in this series and may not face a ball until we get out there and we’re 60 for 5, so I’ve got to try and contribute in a different way.”
England will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Scotland on Tuesday, June 4, in Barbados.
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