Nasser Hussain picks Liam Livingstone's replacement for Super 8 match vs West Indies

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has named a replacement for all-rounder Liam Livingstone if he misses the upcoming match against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2024. Nasser Hussain stated that Sam Curran is the like-for-like replacement for Liam Livingstone in England's lineup for the next match.

Liam Livingstone suffered an injury during the rain-affected group match against Namibia. Livingstone scored 13 runs and didn't field in the second innings. England will be hoping for Livingstone to regain full fitness before their crucial Super 8 match against the West Indies in St. Lucia on Wednesday, June 19 (local time).

According to a BBC report, the 30-year-old had a brief batting session in the nets on Monday, June 17, in St. Lucia. However, the all-rounder did not bowl in the nets. Following his batting stint, Livingstone returned to the hotel for treatment instead of joining his teammates for the range hitting practice during the nets.

Sam Curran Is The Like-To-Like Replacement - Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain suggested that Sam Curran should replace Liam Livingstone if the spin bowling all-rounder fails to recover from injury for the match against West Indies. Hussain stated that Livingstone's side strain may take time to recover.

"Curran played in the last game because it was a reduced game and they left Jacks out. I think Livingstone has that side strain, and it's a concern. It's not just something that's going to disappear in the next couple of days. If he doesn't get through fitness, I would play Curran. He was inside anyway, but you bring Jacks back in, and Curran is the like-to-like replacement for Livingstone," Hussain told Sky Sports Cricket.

Who should replace Liam Livingstone if his injury keeps him out against West Indies? 🤕

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Livingstone did not get to bat in the matches against Scotland and Oman. The right-handed batter scored 15 runs against Australia during the chase. He bowled a crucial two-over spell in that match, dismissing Mitchell Marsh. His ability to bowl off-spin and leg-spin has been valuable for England's bowling attack.

No One Can Do What Livingstone Can Do - Nasser Hussain

The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Sam Curran provides England with a left-handed option. Hussain suggested that Sam Curran's inclusion could be advantageous in targeting shorter boundaries, like Australia's strategy against Will Jacks in Barbados.

"And as much as, all-round, no one can do what Livingstone can do because he bowls off-spin, leg-spin, and belts it out of the park. But it just gives you another all-round option. Obviously, another left-hander option; England only have Moeen Ali in the top order without Ben Stokes. So Curran just gives another left-hander that. If you need a left-hander to target a short boundary as Australia did in the first game in Barbados when Head and Warner went after Will Jacks," Nasser Hussain said.

Sam Curran secured the Player of the Tournament award in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia. The left-arm pacer picked up 13 wickets at an average of 11.38 and an impressive economy rate of 6.53. It's worth noting that nine of his 13 wickets came in the final five overs.

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