Livingstone says he was denied support after being dropped by England

AFP

All‑rounder Liam Livingstone said he was left out in the cold after being dropped by England last year and that the current regime does not care about players outside the core group.

The 32‑year‑old has not played for England since the Champions Trophy in Pakistan last year, where he scored only 33 runs and took three wickets in three matches.

Livingstone, who has played 60 T20 Internationals, 39 ODIs, and one test for England, described that tour as the “worst experience” of his career and said communication from team management broke down after he was dropped.

Coach Brendon McCullum broke the news he was being dropped last May in a telephone call lasting barely a minute, he told ESPNCricinfo.

"I asked why; they said they wanted to try someone else. That was off Baz (McCullum). Brooky (Harry Brook) sent me a text.

“Keysy (Director of Cricket Rob Key) said nothing, said I’ll speak to you in the summer. I actually rang him one day, and he said he was busy at a test camp at Loughborough, and then I didn’t hear from him until the end of September.

"That probably sums that group up as a collective. That was a bit of an eye-opening experience about the group and the regime: if you’re in, you’re in, and if you’re not in, no one cares about you," he added.

“I was asking for help, and pretty much all I got was that I care too much and I need to chill out a little bit.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside UK business hours.

More from Sports News

  • F1 commission agrees to shorter races from 2027

    The governing FIA's Formula One commission has agreed on Monday to reduce the standard Grand Prix distance from 305km to 290km from 2027, cutting races by two or three laps.

  • Spain extend coach Luis de la Fuente to 2032

    The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced Monday that its board of directors has unanimously approved an extension of coach Luis de la Fuente's contract until 2032.

  • Infantino says he is open to talks over FIFA reform

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed an outside review of how the governing body makes major decisions on Monday, acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-abandoned investment plan had caused concern.

  • Troubled Marseille lose fifth straight as PSG win

    Captain Marquinhos has snatched the winner as champions Paris St Germain won 2-1 at troubled Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, condemning the hosts to a fifth successive loss and a spot in the relegation zone.

Blogs