England have taken Australia to an ODI series decider thanks to a huge win in what was a historic Friday night at Lord’s.
Victory was claimed by 186 runs to level the one-day international scoring at 2-2 thanks to some impressive individual performances.
Livingstone excelled in a huge win for England in their ODI seriesGetty
Harry Brook, England’s stand-in captain, was on hand to score 87 runs from 58 balls and Ben Duckett scored 63 from 62 balls.
However, Liam Livingstone stole the show by taking an excellent 62 runs from 27 balls against Australia.
It took him just 25 deliveries to hit a half-century, which is the fastest 50 ever reached in an ODI series match at Lord’s.
England’s overall tally of 12 maximums is also a new record set by one team at the widely perceived ‘Home of Cricket’.
Australia set their sights on scoring 313 runs to not only win the match, but also the series and did in fact make a strong start.
However, they couldn’t sustain their momentum and after seeing six wickets fall in seven overs, they settled for 126 all out from 24.4 overs.
Play at Lord’s was delayed by two hours due to rain and each side’s overs were reduced to 39 from the usual 50.
However, this didn’t faze Livingstone as his unbeaten 62 was a catalyst for England’s second biggest ODI victory against Australia by runs.
The 31-year-old hit seven sixes, four of which came against Mitchell Starc in the final over, and three fours in his innings.
Brook also enjoyed a fine display for England as they look carry their form into the fifth and final match following a strong 312-5 from 39 overs.
England now have the chance to beat Australia in Sunday’s deciderGetty
“That’s a pretty compete performance,” he told the BBC’s Test Match Special. “We are happy with the way we went about the game and it’s nice to come out victorious.
“I am glad to be somewhere near my best. It’s nice to be out there and contributing to the side.”
England and Australia’s five-match series will be decided this Sunday at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.
And Australia captain Mitchell Marsh is keen to finish the series on a high, though he conceded England were the superior side at Lord’s.
He remarked: “We were a bit off today but fair play to England they put us under pressure.
“They outplayed us today. Probably a bit above-par but Liam Livingstone played a gem of an inning.
“You need a couple of big partnerships in a run chase like that and a couple guys to get going.
“England bowled well. That’s cricket. Bristol will be a great experience, England have come back strongly.”
