AUS VS ENG T20I

Right then, that is it from this entertaining game of cricket where England defeats arch-rivals Australia to level the series. Now, the focus shifts to the third and final T20I between the heavyweights at the iconic Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. That match will take place on 15th September, Sunday at 1.30 pm GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Phil Salt, the victorious skipper of England says that it was an incredible performance and appreciates Livingstone for his fearless inning. Says what he did in the middle just showed how capable he is. Also lauds the young Jacob Bethell for an impressive batting display. Mentions that he knew it would be tough to chase but they needed a good couple of partnerships to stay in the game. On being asked about Bethell's batting, he says that he is a real talent and it was a treat to watch the way he took down Zampa. Says that Livingstone has started this this series brilliantly. Has 5 wickets to his name with over 100 runs with the bat and is hopeful that he will replicate the same at Old Trafford.

Travis Head, the captain of Australia says that it was a good score but the conditions changed slightly due to the dew, but they knew that would happen. Adds that Aaron Hardie was excellent in the last couple of overs and it was nice to see Jake Fraser-McGurk showing his skills as well. Mentions that it was positive throughout the game, they did not get the result but still they go to Manchester in high spirits. Says that they knew Matthew Short had that ability with the ball and it is really nice to have so many all-round options. Ends by saying that he will just try to keep the ship rolling until Mitchell Marsh is back.

Liam Livingstone is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 87 runs off just 47 deliveries along with a couple of crucial wickets as well. He says that the last couple of years have taught him some life lessons. Adds that he does enjoy striking the ball into the crowd and it is not easy to move up the order and play those shots, but is enjoying it. On being asked about Jacob Bethell's batting, he mentions that Bethell is an incredible talent and has a good head above the shoulder. Says it was great to bat with him and that he played fearlessly. About the crowd, he says it is nice to see the crowd turning out in large numbers. Ends up saying that it is a good feeling to go to Manchester with a 1-1 series.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Australia posted a massive total on the board. In fact, the second-highest first innings score in T20Is on this ground. Travis Head set the tone with a short but fiery knock. Jake Fraser-McGurk was the mainstay and notched a blazing maidan fifty as well while he was excellently supported by Josh Inglis who smashed a 42 off just 26 balls. Aaron Hardie provided the finishing touches for the Aussies with a quick-fire cameo. Once again, Liam Livingstone was the pick of the bowlers with a couple of wickets while Brydon Carse also filled in the shoes of Jofra Archer well by getting two wickets as well. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid chipped in with one each. The problem for the hosts was that they were expensive in the Powerplay and at the death as well. While chasing, England did lose a couple of wickets early, but Liam Livingstone was determined to mark his 50thT20I with a memorable performance and along with the support of Jacob Bethell helped the hosts get over the line.

Australia, on the other hand, will be a bit disappointed with their bowling effort. They had a lot of runs to defend, and even with the dew and good batting conditions, should have done a lot better in the field. They started alright with Sean Abbott getting two wickets in the same over. It took a bit of time, but the introduction of spin got the dangerous Phil Salt. However, after that, they took a bit of beating from the hosts, and that middle phase took the game away from them. Adam Zampa has been their best bowler in this format in recent times, but could not make much of an impact. Travis Head took a chance and gave the 17th over to Matthew Short and he responded with a couple of wickets to make things interesting. He removed Liam Livingstone as well but the game was gone by then, however, it was a good personal milestone for him to end up with a five-wicket haul.

Jacob Bethell joined Liam Livingstone in the middle and the tide started to shift. The latter played in his own way not letting the bowlers to settle and attacking at every opportunity that was presented to him. Bethell initially took his time, but once settled, he started to play his shots as well. Not only that, he then smacked 20 runs in an over of Adam Zampa which is not at all easy to do. Livingstone notched a brilliant half-century and just as when they were cruising, Bethell fell as their 90-stand was broken. The hosts suffered a scare losing a couple of wickets in quick succession but Livingstone, the man of the moment kept his cool and took them to the finish line. He couldn't quite take them over the line but was the main reason they chased down this total with an over to spare.

England got off to a brisk start with skipper Phil Salt leading the charge, but Will Jacks struggled again and fell cheaply. Jordan Cox also couldn't make much of an impact and went back for a duck. However, that didn't stop Salt from playing aggressively and he found good support from Liam Livingstone as well. The skipper lost his wicket trying to up the ante, and all the pressure came on the shoulders of Livingstone.

WE ARE GOING TO A DECIDER! A fantastic run chase from England has helped them level the series. Liam Livingstone, the key man for the hosts played a match-winning knock of 87 off just 47, and that too in his 50th T20I. A word for Matthew Short as well who picked up a brilliant five-for, but that wasn't enough for the Aussies

DONE AND DUSTED! ENGLAND WIN BY 3 WICKETS! This is now the highest successful run chase at the Sophia Gardens by any team. Adil Rashid finishes the job for the home side to level the series by 1-1 and England maintain their impressive winning record at Cardiff in the T20Is. Matthew Short fires it, full and outside off, Adil Rashid opens the bat's face and slices it through the point region for an easy single. Overall, it has been a fantastic game of cricket with both sides having their moments.

Adil Rashid comes out to the middle to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! IN THE AIR...AND TAKEN! 5-FER FOR SHORT! He has bowled brilliantly in this match and it's a well-deserved one! Matthew Short slows it up, full and around leg stump line, Brydon Carse dances down the track to take the aerial route but is months early in the shot as he gets beaten by the lack of pace. Goes through the shot and gets the connection on the higher part of the willow and the ball travels into the air over the mid-wicket region. Tim David from mid on calls for his catch, runs to his right and takes a good running catch. Matthew Short is on a Hat Trick now.

OUT! IN THE AIR...AND TAKEN! 5-FER FOR SHORT! He has bowled brilliantly in this match and it's a well-deserved one! Matthew Short slows it up, full and around leg stump line, Brydon Carse dances down the track to take the aerial route but is months early in the shot as he gets beaten by the lack of pace. Goes through the shot and gets the connection on the higher part of the willow and the ball travels into the air over the mid-wicket region. Tim David from mid on calls for his catch, runs to his right and takes a good running catch. Matthew Short is on a Hat Trick now.

Brydon Carse walks out to bat now.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A consolation wicket for Australia as Liam Livingstone departs after playing a match-winning knock of 87! A remarkable 50th T20I for Livingstone though! Matthew Short stays around the pegs and darts in a pinpoint yorker on the stumps, Liam Livingstone again charges down to drill it down the ground but misses to connect and the ball goes to shatter the stumps in a blink. Short gets his 4th wicket.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A consolation wicket for Australia as Liam Livingstone departs after playing a match-winning knock of 87! A remarkable 50th T20I for Livingstone though! Matthew Short stays around the pegs and darts in a pinpoint yorker on the stumps, Liam Livingstone again charges down to drill it down the ground but misses to connect and the ball goes to shatter the stumps in a blink. Short gets his 4th wicket.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Too full and on middle, Liam Livingstone uses his feet, gets his bat underneath the ball, finds the middle of the bat and drills it down the ground for a boundary.