England vs Australia, 2nd T20I at Cardiff, ENG v AUS, Sep 13 2024 - Match Result

10.05pm: Well, Cardiff was rocking tonight, as England's young lions (led by a Welshman) levelled the series. The boyos done good. Anyway, Matt's report is in and things are set up nicely for Sunday in Manchester. In between, we've got... T20 Finals Day (plenty of preview content for that here)! Thanks for keeping us company, from Gnasher, Raghav and myself, it's goodbye for now. Ta ra!

9.55pm: Right oh, time for the presentations at Sophia Gardens. Liam Livingstone is Player of the Match for his matchwinning knock (as well as two-fer): "It's been nice. Did say towards the end of the Hundred that I was getting my body back to normal, that's bothered me the last couple of years. Enjoying my cricket. [Batting No.4] I do enjoy the responsibility. You can only play the hand you've been dealt, not easy coming in six or seven. Moving up the order has been nice, gives you more responsibility. Tough couple of years but nice to be out here with a smile on my face. It's something that's hard down the order. [Bethell] Seen it over the last couple of weeks in the Hundred, incredible talent but he has a great head on young shoulders. To be out there batting with him, he's a fearless kid and it was pretty special. [Ovation] Nice reception, big game, wanted to go to Old Trafford 1-1."

Australia captain Travis Head: "Good score, felt we were in the hunt and got close. [Conditions] Yeah, it changed out there, but you know that at the toss. We were pretty close but it was a good innings. [Plans] You go with your gut, will sit down with Ronnie and have a chat. [Fraser-McGurk] Nice for him to get into the series. Didn't get the win but that's okay. [Short] Should have bowled him earlier. We know what he's got to offer, a nice option moving into the next game. [Captaincy] As long as I can keep the ship running for Mitch, unfortunately no win... but keep it rolling."

England's Phil Salt: "Incredible performance, what Livi did was second to none. To see Beth come out and play the way he did, pace his innings and take their best bowler down, really impressed. Knew we'd have to play well, they had a good powerplay. We talked about extending those partnerships after Southampton, nice to do it straight away. [Australia powerplay] We know how good they are, you go back to your plans. Did we have clarity, did we execute? [Bethell] He is a real talent, the way he took down Zampa, not many could do that in their second international game. [Livingstone] He's played a lot of cricket, he's no mug. Started really well, five wickets and 100-plus runs in two games, hopefully he can take that to Old Trafford. [Captaincy and keeping] I'm enjoying it, feel like it's the best place to see the game from. A win tonight keeps the series alive and gives us a good incentive at Old Trafford."

9.50pm: That means the series is level at 1-1, so we'll go to a decider in Manchester on Sunday. Liam Livingstone was the star of the show for England with 87 off 47 balls, his partnership with Jacob Bethell breaking the back of the chase. Both batters departed, as Matthew Short somehow burgled a five-wicket haul at the death; but England had enough in the tank to flop over the line

ShahSafeer: "Performance of highest order from Livingstone, a futuristic move has worked for England, at least for now. And also what these English fans sing together? Have been listening to this since Pakistan's debut T20I"

Tom: "Cause of early death: being an England supporter"

Ken: "5 for the part-time offie, 0 for the world-class leggie. T20 in a nut shell"

Adil Rashid, still one needed

Brydon Carse walks out to do the honours

Probably not going to the wire after all

This going all the way, 13 needed from 12. Short will bowl another

Abbott for his fourth

"Idiotic batting," huffs John, "what on earth are they thinking this close to victory."

Livingstone will keep the strike, 21 to get from the last three

Jamie Overton, a specialist bat in this side, is in at No.7

In comes Sam Curran

Head gambles with Short's offspin, 25 needed from 24

"Turning point for me is the batting by Jacob, his career best was 2 before this match…an innings he will remember !!" Well, that was his only previous knock on debut, Vinod Rajpal. But he's been very good tonight