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Liam Livingstone's Stellar 95* Takes England To Challenging Total After Boult's Magic

image-lmdmtvgjLiam Livingstone put on a show in Southampton (Twitter)

A rain-marred second ODI between England and New Zealand turned into a spectacle as the hosts, despite an early collapse, posted a solid 226/7 in 34 overs. In what was a rain-curtailed 34-over contest, England showed resilience, especially in the latter half of their innings, thanks to a stellar knock by Liam Livingstone.

ENG vs NZ: Mid-Innings Report

Kiwi Bowlers Dominate Early Play

Winning the toss under overcast conditions, New Zealand captain Tom Latham's decision to bowl first bore fruit immediately. The potent Kiwi pace attack, led by a returning Trent Boult, had England struggling.

Boult's brilliance was on display as he swiftly accounted for Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes. With Matt Henry chipping in by dismissing Harry Brook and a brisk knock by England captain Jos Buttler coming to an end, England found themselves reeling at 55/5 in just over 12 overs.



Livingstone and Curran's Rescue Act

With the top order back in the pavilion, it was left to Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone to rebuild. The duo added a crucial 48-run partnership before Ali's departure. Livingstone then found an able ally in Sam Curran, and the two launched a counterattack.

Their scintillating 112-run partnership turned the game on its head, with Livingstone reaching a brilliant half-century and eventually closing on 95* off 78 balls. Curran’s valuable contribution of 42 off 35 balls added to New Zealand's woes.


New Zealand's Chase Ahead

While England has managed to set a competitive total, the challenge now rests with the Kiwi batsmen to tackle a potent English bowling lineup and secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.