by Liam Livingstone believes he is at the peak of his powers after a century of war and invincibility which led England to an unprecedented victory over the West Indies in Antigua.
With England needing a ground-best 329 to avoid the ignominy of a fifth consecutive Caribbean series defeat in all formats, stand-in captain Livingstone led from the front with 124 not out in 85 balloons.
Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran, who shared a total of 140 runs in 107 deliveries with Livingstone, chipped in with the fifty as England completed a five-wicket victory with 15 balls remaining to set up a deciding match at Barbados. Wednesday.
It was a first ODI ton for Livingstone and the first in an England jersey since 2021, when the Cumbrian made several standout appearances at domestic and international level, but he feels he is now a level above.
“The way I’ve been playing over the last three months, I’m probably playing as well as I’ve ever played,” Livingstone said.
“I had this incredible year in 2021 and I feel like I’m playing way better than that. Things work for me off the field, in training. It’s really nice to see that it’s paying dividends in the middle.
That’s a far cry from just a few months ago.
Initially dropped to face Australia in September amid a difficult few years in terms of form and fitness, Livingstone was reinstated after a sparkling T20 form coupled with Jos Buttler’s injury setback.
The dizzying speed of his changes in fortunes was underlined by Livingstone leading an inexperienced England for these three ODIs following Buttler’s ongoing problems with his calf.
“I’m not saying the wrong decision was made,” Livingstone said. “I had two years where I should have done more than I did, but I don’t always think I was given the responsibility I wanted.
“It’s a two-way thing. I just asked for a little more responsibility and a little more opportunity. I have always believed in my abilities, especially in one-day cricket.
Shai Hope’s 117 off 127 balls helped the hosts reach an imposing 328 for six, where England used nine bowlers in an innings for only the second time in their history.
While John Turner took his first international wickets, capturing the Windies’ first two overs in 19 balls, no England bowler could thwart the Windies who added 174 in the last 20 overs.
The Windies amassed 14 sixes in total, but Livingstone relegated question marks over the use of his bowlers to a mere subplot with a scintillating knock, clearing the rope nine times to go with five fours as he took advantage of a strong breeze blowing across the ground.
His union with Sam Curran was very successful early on as Livingstone took 60 balls to reach 50, but he only needed 17 more to reach three figures.
England needed exactly 100 from the last 10 overs but Livingstone took 26 and 24 respectively off Jayden Seales and ODI debutant Shamar Joseph as England bounced back in style from the eight-wicket defeat on Thursday.
“There was no moment where I thought the game was disconnected,” Livingstone added.
“I felt really good from the first ball. The first ball I hit hit the ground and I know if I hit it I’m playing great.
“People see me as that guy who can come in and hit a couple of sixes at the end of a T20 innings, but I see myself as being able to hit more than two sixes.
“I always believed I could do things the way I did. More than anything. I’m happy to have been able to lead from the front.
