In a thrilling encounter, Liam Livingstone led England to victory against West Indies in the second ODI held in Antigua, contributing a remarkable 124 runs off just 85 balls. His performance helped England chase down a target of 329 runs with 15 balls remaining, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.

West Indies, batting first, posted a solid total of 328-6, bolstered by captain Shai Hope’s impressive century of 117 runs from 127 deliveries. Hope’s innings was instrumental in recovering from an early loss of both openers. He found support from Keacy Carty, who scored 71, and Sherfane Rutherford with a quick-fire 54.

England’s chase began steadily as Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell each contributed half-centuries. However, it was Livingstone’s explosive innings that turned the tide. After coming to bat with England at 107-3 in the 21st over, he quickly shifted gears after Bethell fell for 55. Livingstone reached his fifty in just 60 balls and then accelerated dramatically, scoring his next fifty in a mere 17 balls.

Livingstone’s innings featured nine sixes, including a sequence of three consecutive sixes against Gudakesh Motie that showcased his aggressive approach. Sam Curran also played a crucial role with a run-a-ball contribution of 52 before falling in the latter stages of the match.

England’s stand-in captain stepped up significantly after some scrutiny over his leadership style following the first game. He had used nine bowlers without much success earlier but redeemed himself with an outstanding batting display that sealed the win and alleviated pressure on his captaincy.

Hope’s performance was commendable as he orchestrated West Indies' innings masterfully despite initial setbacks. He played aggressively early on while also maintaining composure as he built partnerships to stabilize the innings. His century marked his 17th ODI ton and showcased his ability to anchor the team’s efforts.

With this victory, England looks ahead to the deciding third ODI in Barbados on Wednesday, where they aim to continue building on their momentum. The match highlighted Livingstone’s potential as a leader and batsman while putting West Indies under pressure to reassess their strategies for the final game. Both teams will be eager to secure the series win in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the contest.