Liam Livingstone's heroics with the bat helped England beat Australia in the second IT20 in Cardiff to level the Vitality IT20 series 1-1 going into the final match at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Welshman Phil Salt won the toss and chose to bowl on a chilly evening at Sophia Gardens, and the game got off to a flyer thanks to Travis Head's continued impressive form up the order. The swashbuckling southpaw scored 31 off just 14 balls, after which talented youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk continued where his captain left off. Scoring a half century in only 30 balls, he formed a crucial partnership with Josh Inglis for the 3rd wicket, with the latter notching up 42 off just 26 balls. Some power-hitting from Aaron Hardie in the end saw Australia score 193 in their 20 overs.
In reply, the captain Phil Salt was off to a flyer, giving England a vital charge in the powerplay. Two quick wickets courtesy Sean Abbott brought Liam Livingstone into the crease earlier than he would have wanted, and following the captain's departure, in came another talented youngster Jacob Bethell. Livingstone and Bethell's match-winning partnership of 90 runs off just 47 balls stole the game from the Australians, giving England the much-needed win despite a five-wicket-haul from spinner Matthew Short.
All set to play for at Old Trafford on Sunday evening as Salt will look win his first series as captain.