‘I was in a pretty bad place at the end of IPL’ - Livingstone opens up on injury struggles

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who was part of the successful English side that lifted the T20 World Cup trophy in 2022, has revealed that he’s been bothered by a knee injury for the best part of two years now, and is only now starting to play ‘pain-free’ cricket on the back of a successful injection. 

Livingstone, 30, only played seven games in IPL 2024 after getting injured mid-tournament due to a nasty slip while fielding. He recovered from that injury but left for England ahead of schedule to attend to his knee ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The all-rounder, speaking after England’s victory against Pakistan in the fourth T20I on May 30 (Thursday), revealed that cricket hasn’t been enjoyable for him for a long while now due to injury troubles.

"It's not been the most enjoyable 18 months of trying to play with a niggle," Livingstone said, reported ESPNcricinfo.

“It kind of drains your spirit, drains your enjoyment of cricket. I was in a pretty crap place at the end of the IPL.”

But an injection on the knee seems to have worked for the 30-year-old, who revealed that, against Pakistan, he played ‘pain-free’ for the first time in over 18 months.

“Thankfully, the injection seems to have worked and just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me. I feel like I've got a smile on my face again, and I'm enjoying playing cricket,” Livingstone said.

"This series, I came in a lot happier, enjoying my cricket a little bit more - and being able to move my feet when I bat also really helps. I feel like I've got a smile on my face, and that's all that really matters to me."

Known to be a ‘middle-order basher’, Livingstone is all set to play as a finisher for England in the forthcoming T20WC. With Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook set to bat at No.4 and No.5 respectively, and with Will Jacks a lock at No.3, it is unlikely that Livingstone will walk out to bat higher than No.6 in most games. 

He admitted that this role is new and different, but insisted that all he cares about is winning games of cricket for his country.

"It's a different role for me. I've always batted No. 3, 4, 5, and even at the top of the order when I first came through,” Livingstone said.

“You've got to manage your expectations and realise that actually, when the time comes, I'm going to get an opportunity - at some time, at some point - to win a game of cricket for England. Hopefully when that time comes, I'm ready to take it."

The last 18 months have been stop-start for Livingstone overall. He’s had a tough time in one-day cricket for England, and has not been at his best in T20 cricket, both at the franchise and international level.

But the 30-year-old is hopeful of bouncing back and getting back to his best.

"The winter didn't go as well as I would've liked, but it is what it is," he said. 

"Everybody goes through a run in their career where they have a bit of a rut, so hopefully I'm on the other side of that. It may not be in the group stage - but hopefully when my opportunity comes, I can show that I'm in a bit better nick than what I was.”

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