Livingstone delighted to rejoin Prince

NOT many outside of Lancashire and Rajasthan may have heard of Liam Livingstone, but the hard-hitting Englishman could soon become a Newlands favourite.

Livingstone was, of course, Cape Town Blitz’ first pick at last month’s Msanzi Super League draft and the 26-year-old is eager to show off his talents when the second edition of MSL kicks off at the Wanderers on Friday evening.

“I try to entertain the people,” the two-cap T20 International said at the Blitz season launch. “Hopefully I can bring a fearless attitude to the squad. It is the way I try to play.”

This positive attitude, backed up by a T20 career strike-rate of 140, will certainly fit in the with the Blitz culture. Last season’s runners-up have, of course, retained the dynamic Quinton de Kock at the top of the order where he will once again partner the enterprising Janneman Malan. The pair will certainly be hoping to replicate their destructive starts again this season.

Equally, the Blitz have fellow England international Moeen Ali at their disposal for the first two matches before Pakistan death-bowling kingpin Wahab Riaz arrives in the country.

Livingstone’s acclimatisation to South African conditions will also be smoother due to a familiar face in the Blitz dressingroom. In a previous life, Blitz coach Ashwell Prince guided a young Livingstone as the rookie took his first strides on the English County Championship circuit.

In fact, the pair have actually won a T20 title together when Lancashire lifted the Natwest Blast trophy back in 2015. Livingstone is eager to replicate that feat here in Cape Town. ‘

“We have some great memories of that night,” Livingstone said. “Obviously seeing Ashwell again brings back those memories. Hopefully we can do the same again this year.

“I think Ashwell’s last year at Lancashire was my first year, so coming through at Lancashire, Ashwell was someone I would have looked up to. A lot of our young lads tried to model ourselves on Ashwell. It is great to be back with him and hopefully he can pass on some knowledge again.”

Livingstone also has extensive T20 franchise experience. Besides leading Lancashire at Old Trafford, he has paraded his hard-hitting skills for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League while enjoying gametime in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals rubbing shoulders with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Australia’s Steve Smith.