Left Arm Around

Liam Livingstone’s magnificent unbeaten 124 leads England to a series-levelling triumph against West Indies in the second one-day international (ODI) at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Livingstone, 31, completed his maiden ODI century off 77 balls in his second game as captain, progressing through the gears with ease to smash 76 from his final 28 balls.

The stand-in skipper combined with all-rounder Sam Curran in a crucial partnership of 140, after opener Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell struck fine fifties to lay the platform.

Curran departed for 52 a delivery after Livingstone celebrated his hundred, though hopes of a late West Indies fightback were short-lived as Livingstone crunched back-to-back sixes off Shamar Joseph and the Three Lions reached their target of 329 with 16 balls to spare.

Earlier, the hosts pounced on numerous sloppy England errors to post an imposing 328-6.

Hampshire’s John Turner removed both openers inside four overs, but Shai Hope enabled their recovery with 117 to earn his 17th ODI century.

Hope made England regret dropping him on 60; wicket-keeper Phil Salt squandering a regulation chance off Jacob Bethell’s bowling.

Keacy Carty (71) provided great support for Hope in a brilliant partnership of 143, while Sherfane Rutherford’s 54 from 36 and a quick-fire 23 from Matthew Forde added the finishing touches to an impressive innings.

But for the heroics of Livingstone, that target would have been too steep and West Indies would have an unassailable lead.

The series will be decided in the third ODI at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday.