"I’m 29 years old and I still have that dream" - Liam Livingstone eager to play Test cricket
England's white-ball specialist Liam Livingstone remains keen to represent the national team in Test cricket. Livingstone, who has been included in the squad for the three-Test tour of Pakistan in December, has admitted that this has always been his dream.
The hard-hitting batter is one of the two uncapped players in the 15-man squad for the tour of Pakistan. The Lancashire all-rounder earned his first call-up to the Test squad when England toured New Zealand for two matches in 2018 but did not get a game.
Our 15-strong squad for our Test series in Pakistan! https://t.co/8nPUGnmeXl
Speaking to The Guardian, the all-rounder feels the aggressive style of play instilled by skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum should help fulfill his dream well. He explained:
"I have played a lot of franchise cricket but there’s nothing quite like fulfilling a dream that you always had as a little kid. And for me, the dream was always to play Test cricket for England. I’m 29 years old and I still have that dream.
"Obviously, Stokesy and Baz have seen something in me and I think my character and style of play will suit that environment really well."
He admitted that playing red-ball cricket for England is an unrealized dream and continued:
"I've fulfilled a lot of dreams over the last few years. Playing in a World Cup, playing for England, playing in the IPL. But there’s one burning dream that I have had since I was a little kid and that’s to play Test cricket. That will never change."
It's worth noting that the right-handed batter hasn't played long-form cricket since September of 2021. However, Livingston's numbers are encouraging as he has scored 3069 runs in 62 first-class games at 38.36 with seven tons while managing 43 scalps.
"The entertainment part of T20 cricket suited me really well" - Liam Livingstone
Livingstone admitted that playing the shortest format was far easier and more comforting as he began to enjoy his career. He explained:
"The entertainment part of T20 cricket suited me really well. I found a way to play that turned me into a matchwinner and an entertainer. It got me back into playing international cricket.
"But the biggest turning point for me was not waking up every morning thinking: ‘How do I get back into the England team?’ I started waking up in the morning with a smile on my face, traveling the world and enjoying my career."
A magnificent century by Liam Livingstone off just 42 balls 💯
However, just a ball later he is caught at long-on as Pakistan take the upper hand.
#ENGvPAK | bit.ly/ENGvPAKT20I-1 https://t.co/MQ7GOaxhCJ
Livingstone is currently nursing an ankle injury that he suffered during The Hundred. He will aim to return in time for England's T20 World Cup warm-up game against Pakistan on October 17.