Liam Livingstone has challenged an inexperienced England white-ball squad brimming with “untapped talent” to make a reputation for themselves within the Caribbean.
Captain Jos Buttler’s nagging calf problem and the Test duties of a bunch of star names means England can test their bench strength in three ODIs against West Indies, starting in Antigua on Thursday.
Jordan Cox, named as England’s next Test wicketkeeper, plus batting all-rounder Dan Mousley and fast bowler John Turner are poised for debuts, while Livingstone wouldn’t rule out a primary international appearance for promising young leg-spinner Jafer Chohan in some unspecified time in the future.
All-rounder Jacob Bethell showed glimpses of his talent against Australia recently and has been a surprise call-up to the Test side, with Livingstone urging the kids to seize the moment in what’s the tourists’ penultimate ODI series before next yr’s Champions Trophy.
Recent boys making a reputation for themselves
“If anyone is available in and shows something we haven’t already got, they will leapfrog people in a short time,” said Livingstone, who will captain England for the primary time in Buttler’s absence.
“There’s plenty of untapped talent and we’re going to see a few of that. Hopefully there will probably be someone inside this group where people say: ‘do not forget that series we had within the West Indies when so-and-so made a reputation for themselves?’
“I actually have little question that somebody or perhaps a couple of men will put their hand forward. The strength in depth we have now in English cricket, whenever you take a look at the boys we’re missing to the squad we’ve still came is pretty exciting.
“There’s going to be plenty of debuts over the subsequent few weeks. It’s about time we threw them in on the deep end and see what they’re all about.”
Livingstone’s Form
Livingstone wouldn’t be drawn on his XI for the series opener but suggested he’ll bat at five within the order, a promotion for him as 25 of his 27 ODI innings up to now have been at number six or seven.
He intends to depend on wicketkeeper Phil Salt and all-rounder Sam Curran for advice in the sector after being appointed to oversee the side, just two months on from being initially dropped to face Australia.
The 31-year-old barged his way back in with some brutish T20 form coupled with an injury setback for Buttler and capitalised with a few swaggering innings, including the fastest ODI fifty at Lord’s.
“I’m at an age now where I’m probably not too emotional about things, I can accept things, I’ve had all of it growing up,” said Livingstone.
“But one thing I actually pride myself on is resilience and I believe the resilience I showed in the summertime is something I’ll look back on as being really pleased with once I finish my profession.
“I could have quite easily sulked, not done anything about it and ended up not here. I used to be blissful with the way in which I played and hopefully I can push on from that throughout the winter.
“(Batting up the order) gives you more responsibility, a bit more time. It’s something I’ve wanted for some time. Just like the young boys, I’ll be getting a chance to showcase what I can do that week.”
Captain Experience
Livingstone, who received a ‘good luck’ text from Buttler on Wednesday morning, has captained in domestic cricket and will probably be cheered on by his father and brother.
“I take it back to once I was six, seven, eight years old playing within the garden, you’d all the time pretend you were England captain, so it’s one other dream that’s come true for me,” added Livingstone.
“There’s probably not many England captains that come from Barrow-in-Furness so it’s a proud moment for my family and the town where I come from.
“I did a yr of captaincy once I was 24 and I believe not just for this but for my whole profession, it set me up really nicely. It didn’t go all to plan but that’s the thing that matures you pretty quickly.
“Hopefully that yr of captaincy will stand me in good stead for the subsequent week.”
READ MORE: Incredibly Proud – Liam Livingstone grateful to be handed England captaincy
