Liam Livingstone shone with bat and ball to put Australia to the sword as England drew the T20I series level with a three-wicket victory in Cardiff on Friday, September 13. The separating factor in the high-scoring game – Australia posted 193/6 – was the middle overs as England’s spinners, led by Livingstone, struck regularly to keep the visitors in check as they managed only 66 runs in 7-15 overs. In contrast, England looted 98 runs in that period, with Livingstone and Jacob Bethell stringing together an awesome alliance.
Australia’s imposing total hinged on Jake Fraser-McGurk’s maiden fifty and Josh Inglis’s rapid 42 off 26. England were 79/3 at one point in the pursuit before a 90-run partnership off just 47 balls between Livingstone (87 off 47) and Bethell (44 off 24) wrestled the advantage as the hosts got over the line with an over to spare.
Brief Scores: England 194 for 7 (Livingstone 87, Bethell 44, Salt 39, Short 5-22) beat Australia 193 for 6 (Fraser-McGurk 50, Inglis 42, Head 31) by three wickets