Livingstone the hero as England beat Australia to level T20 series

CARDIFF :Liam Livingstone smashed a magnificent 87 from 47 balls as England beat Australia by three wickets at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens on Friday to level their three match T20 series 1-1 and set up a Sunday decider in Manchester.

Livingstone's second half century in his 50th T20 match for England set the crowd rocking and came after Australia, with Jake Fraser-McGurk hitting his first international 50, had set the hosts a target of 194.

Captain Phil Salt hit three successive sixes in the third over before Sean Abbott pegged England back with two quick wickets in the fourth, Fraser-McGurk catching Will Jacks for 12 before Jordan Cox was bowled for a second ball duck.

Salt went for 39 off 23 balls, caught by Abbott, but the experienced Livingstone's tremendous partnership with newcomer Jacob Bethell (44 from 24) steadied the hosts and set them on the path to victory.

Livingstone hit six fours and five sixes before he was bowled by Matt Short - who ended his evening with five wickets - with one run required.

Adil Rashid came in and closed the game out with a quick single and six balls remaining as England equalled the highest successful T20 run chase at Sophia Gardens.

The victory cancelled Wednesday's opening 28 run defeat in Southampton.

"I feel like I'm in decent nick with bat and bowl. I'm enjoying my cricket, it's nice to play with a smile on my face," Livingstone, player of the match, told Sky Sports television.

"Bethell is an incredible talent. He's got a great head on young shoulders. Exciting talent. He's a fearless kid and to play like that is pretty special."

Australia had Travis Head captaining Australia for the first time in place of the unwell Mitchell Marsh but he was unable to repeat Wednesday's fireworks and was