Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell orchestrated a breathtaking 90-run partnership off just 47 balls, propelling England to a thrilling victory over Australia in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens on Friday. The series now hinges on a dramatic finale at The Oval on Sunday.
Chasing a formidable target of 194, England found themselves in a precarious position at 79-3. Phil Salt, unfortunately, fell into an apparent trap set by Australian stand-in captain Travis Head, holing out to Matthew Short. However, the arrival of Livingstone and Bethell transformed the chase.
Bethell, in a remarkable display of power hitting, smashed 44 runs off 24 balls, showcasing his immense talent and providing crucial momentum. Despite his departure with the finish line in sight, Livingstone continued his onslaught, crafting a magnificent 87 runs off 47 balls, peppering the boundary with five sixes and six fours. His aggressive brilliance brought England tantalizingly close to victory.
However, a dramatic turn of events saw Livingstone bowled with the scores tied. Brydon Carse, in a moment of recklessness, slogged the next ball in the air, gifting part-timer Short a remarkable five-wicket haul – a remarkable achievement for a bowler with just two previous international wickets.
In a tense climax, Adil Rashid steered the ball to backward point, securing the single England needed for a three-wicket victory with six balls remaining. The series was tied at 1-1, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale at The Oval.
Earlier in the match, Livingstone showcased his versatility, claiming 2-16 from three overs in his 50th T20 appearance. Carse, making a strong return after a three-month ban for breaching betting regulations, impressed with a couple of wickets, demonstrating his ability to fill the void left by Jofra Archer.
Australia, led by the electrifying Travis Head, who blazed 31 runs off 14 balls at the top of the order, posted a formidable total of 193-6. Jake Fraser-McGurk, in a brilliant display of power hitting, smashed his maiden international fifty, and Australia plundered 60 runs off the final five overs.
England’s reply began with caution, but Salt launched into three consecutive leg-side sixes off Aaron Hardie. However, Sean Abbott silenced the crowd with two wickets in three balls, removing Salt and Will Jacks, leaving England in a precarious position.
Livingstone, however, weathered a tough start, surviving a review for lbw, and quickly found his rhythm. He cleared deep midwicket off Marcus Stoinis and then punished Abbott with three fours in an over, bringing England within two runs of Australia’s powerplay score.
The match continued to swing back and forth, with Head’s gamble to introduce Short’s part-time off-spin yielding dividends as Salt miscued to fall for 39. With 104 runs needed off the last 10 overs, Livingstone took the game by the scruff of the neck, smashing Cameron Green for six and depositing Stoinis twice into the crowd, achieving a 27-ball fifty.
Bethell joined the party, launching into a series of powerful shots off Cooper Connolly and Adam Zampa, showcasing his composure and skill against Australia’s premier spinners. His exceptional footwork disrupted Zampa’s rhythm, and he plundered 4-6-4-4 off his bowling.
However, with 25 runs needed off the last four overs, Bethell missed a reverse sweep off Short, who then dismissed Curran in the same over. Livingstone, in a final flurry of brilliance, smashed a six and a four off Short to level the scores. Despite a moment of uncertainty, Rashid’s calm presence steered England to victory.
The series is now perfectly poised for a tense decider at The Oval, with both teams eager to claim the coveted victory.
