In a thrilling second ODI in Antigua, Liam Livingstone showcased his talent with a remarkable 124 runs off 85 balls, leading England to a five-wicket victory over the West Indies. This win levels the series at 1-1, setting up an exciting finale in Barbados.

Chasing a challenging target of 329 runs, England found themselves in a precarious position at 107-3 before Livingstone stepped up. His innings included nine sixes and came at a crucial time when the team needed to score 100 runs in the last ten overs. He reached his fifty in 60 deliveries and accelerated dramatically to complete his century just 17 balls later, highlighting his explosive batting style.

Earlier, West Indies captain Shai Hope anchored his team’s innings with an impressive 117 runs from 127 balls. After losing their openers early, Hope partnered with Keacy Carty, who contributed 71 runs, and Sherfane Rutherford added a quick-fire 54. Their efforts helped the hosts post a competitive total of 328-6.

Livingstone’s innings began when he joined Jacob Bethell at the crease. Following Bethell’s departure for a solid 55, Livingstone took command. He quickly found his rhythm, hitting three consecutive sixes off Gudakesh Motie shortly after reaching fifty. Sam Curran supported him well with an equally brisk innings of 52 runs off as many balls before he was dismissed in the penultimate over.

Despite some early struggles with the ball—Livingstone used nine bowlers throughout the Windies' innings and did not fully utilize Jofra Archer—the stand-in captain compensated with his outstanding performance at bat. His powerful hitting eased England’s path to victory and calmed nerves within the team, which had been suffering from inconsistent performances.

Hope’s innings was marked by careful management of the run rate; while he lost both openers quickly, he skillfully rebuilt the innings alongside Carty. Hope took calculated risks against England’s bowlers and was particularly effective against spin.

The series is set for a decisive third match on Wednesday, where both teams will aim for superiority after this exhilarating encounter. Livingstone expressed confidence in his gameplay and praised Curran’s contributions, while Hope acknowledged that despite setting a strong total, better execution was needed from his team to secure victory.