Big blow to Punjab Kings, match winner player already out of match, will not field against KKR
New Delhi. Attacking England batsman Liam Livingstone will miss Punjab Kings’ first match in the Indian Premier League as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is yet to give him fitness clearance after recovering from a knee injury suffered in December. The Punjab Kings team will start their campaign in the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1.
Livingstone has not played competitive cricket since injuring himself during his Test debut against Pakistan in December. The 29-year-old also suffered an ankle injury while playing in ‘The Hundred’ competition at home last year. “He has been ruled out for at least the first match as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status,” said an IPL source. He should be available from the second match.
Livingstone posted a video on social media on Wednesday in which he was seen batting in the nets. Last season was the best in the IPL for Livingstone in which he scored 437 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.42. During this his strike rate was 182.08. The England cricketer is known for his ability to play big shots and has played 12 ODIs and 29 T20 Internationals for the national team.
Last season, he also took six wickets with his spin bowling. England’s Sam Curran, who became the most expensive player in IPL history, has already joined the Punjab team. Apart from Livingstone, the team will also miss South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who will not play in the match against KKR as he is part of the national team. He played in the final T20I between South Africa and West Indies in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Rabada is expected to reach India on April 3, two days after which the team has to face Rajasthan Royals.
