Liam Livingstone has challenged an inexperienced England white-ball side full of “untapped talent” to make a name for themselves in the Caribbean.
Skipper Jos Buttler’s nagging calf problem and the Test duties of a slew of star names mean England could test their bench strength in three ODIs against the West Indies, starting in Antigua on Thursday.
While Jordan Cox, who has been named England’s next Test wicket-keeper, batting all-rounder Dan Mousley and fast bowler John Turner are set to make their debuts, Livingstone is expected to be a promising youngster at some point. Leg-spinner Jafer Chohan would not be ruled out for his first international appearance.
All-rounder Jacob Bethell gave a glimpse of his talent against Australia recently and was given a surprise call-up to the Test squad with Livingston urging the youngster to seize the moment in the tourists’ second ODI series before next year’s Champions Trophy.
New boys making a name for themselves
“When someone comes in and shows something we haven’t got yet, they can leapfrog people very quickly,” said Livingston, who will captain England for the first time in Buttler’s absence.
“There is a lot of untapped talent and we will see some of it. I hope there’s someone in this group where people say, ‘Do you remember that series in the West Indies when so-and-so made a name for himself?’
“There is no doubt that someone, or even a couple of men, will reach out. It will be quite interesting to look at the depth we have in English cricket, the players we don’t have in the squad who are still here.
“There will be many debuts over the next few weeks. Now it’s time for us to throw them into the deep end and find out what they’re all about.”
Livingston’s form
Livingstone was not selected in his XI for the series opener but suggested he would bat five in the order, a promotion for him as 25 of his 27 ODI innings to date have been at number six or seven.
He plans to seek on-field advice from wicketkeeper Phil Salt and all-rounder Sam Curran after being appointed to coach the team. It’s been just two months since he played for the first time in a match against Australia.
The 31-year-old returned to brutal T20 form following Buttler’s injury setback and produced two sensational performances, including his fastest ODI fifty at Lord’s.
“I’m at an age now where I can accept things and not be too emotional about them,” Livingston said.
“But one of the things I’m really proud of is our resilience. I think the resilience I showed in the summer is something I will be really proud of when I finish my career.
“I could very easily have sulked and done nothing and ended up not here. I was happy with how I played and hope to continue playing throughout the winter.
“(Getting more orders) gives me more responsibility and more time. It’s something I’ve wanted for a while. “Like any young boy, I will get my chance this week to show what I can do.”
captain experience
Livingstone, who received a ‘good luck’ text from Buttler on Wednesday morning, is set to captain domestic cricket and will be supported by his father and brother.
“It goes back to when I was six, seven or eight years old and playing in the garden. You would always pretend to be England captain. So that’s another dream come true for me,” Livingstone added.
“There won’t be many England captains from Barrow-in-Furness. So it’s a proud moment for my family and the town where I was born.
“I was captain for a year when I was 24, and I think it was a really good environment not only for this job but for my entire career. Not everything went as planned, but that’s what makes you mature pretty quickly.
“I hope the captain of the year can stand in for me next week as well.”
Read more: Incredibly proud – grateful to have Liam Livingstone captain England
