Second T20I: Liam Livingstone guides stumbling England to series-clinching win against Sri Lanka

Liam Livingstone saw England to a series-clinching win over Sri Lanka as the hosts overcame a batting slump in a rain-affected second T20 International at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday.

England appeared to have the game sown up after holding Sri Lanka to 111 at Glamorgan’s headquarters.

But they collapsed to 36/4 in the face of some spirited Sri Lanka bowling chasing 112 – a target reduced to 103 from 18 overs following a rain delay.

But Sam Billings (24) and Livingstone (29 not out) steadied the innings.

Billings fell shortly before the finish but Sam Curran (16 not out) helped England to a five-wicket win with 11 balls to spare as the world’s top-ranked T20 side went 2-0 up in this three-match series.

“Any test that we come up against at this stage, with the (T20) World Cup in mind, is a good challenge – anything out of the ordinary is good,” England captain Eoin Morgan told Sky Sports.

“So certainly the hiccup we had early in our innings when we were trying to force the equation a little bit with the bat pegged us back but the composure of Liam Livingstone and Sam Billings really showed our strength in depth.”

Earlier, a fine collective effort in the field saw Sri Lanka…

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