Liam Livingstone Turns Tide As England Beat New Zealand In 2nd ODI

Liam Livingstone's unbeaten 95 powered England to a 79-run win over New Zealand in the second one-day international in Southampton on Sunday. England, who begin the defence of their World Cup title against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5, collapsed to 8-3 in a match reduced by rain to 34 overs per side.   They were still struggling at 55-5 in the 13th over when Livingstone came into bat. But he took England to 226-7 and New Zealand were then dismissed for 147 as the hosts levelled the four-match series at 1-1 Reece Topley, whose 3-27 ended a wait of over a year for an ODI wicket, and fellow left-arm quick David Willey (3-34) did the damage with the ball.

New Zealand great Trent Boult had marked his 100th ODI -- and first in nearly a year -- by taking the first three England wickets wickets to fall, the veteran left-arm quick removing Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

But Livingstone's career-best ODI innings, a tribute to his composure as much as his celebrated hitting power, bolstered the total and enhanced his prospects of selection for England's final 15-man World Cup squad.

Sam Curran (42) offered fellow all-rounder Livingstone excellent support in a sixth-wicket stand of 112 in 77 balls.

"I wouldn't quite say it was a rescue mission," said man-of-the-match Livingstone.

"We pride ourselves on depth in our batting and getting out of situations like today. I thought Sammy (Curran) batted really well."

Livingstone, whose 52 was a rare England highlight during their comprehensive eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand at Sophia Gardens on Friday, added: "It has been a frustrating year for me...The innings at Cardiff did myself the world of good."

England captain Jos Buttler was elated after a victory that ended