Liam Livingstone delivered an explosive performance at Lord’s on September 27, 2024, when he took Australian pacer Mitchell Starc to the cleaners in the fourth ODI of the series. In a rain-shortened 39-over match, Livingstone’s blistering assault in the last over became the talk of the cricketing world, reminding everyone of Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s similar attack on Starc during the T20 World Cup earlier in June.
Starc’s Most Expensive Over in ODI History
It was the final over of England’s innings, and Starc came in to bowl, already facing the pressure of containing runs. Livingstone, known for his power-hitting, had other plans. The Englishman started with a monstrous six over long-on, a shot so massive it seemed to disappear into the stands. Starc’s second delivery was spared, but Livingstone soon made up for it, hitting three consecutive sixes on the third, fourth, and fifth balls.
On the last delivery, Livingstone struck a four, taking the total to 28 runs in the over. This onslaught marked the most expensive over ever bowled by an Australian in ODI cricket, rewriting history in a way Starc would likely want to forget.
Fastest Fifty at Lord’s
Livingstone’s brutal assault didn’t just set a record for the most expensive over—it also earned him the fastest ODI fifty at Lord’s. Reaching his half-century in just 25 balls, he showcased why he’s considered one of the most dangerous middle-order batsmen in world cricket. He finished his innings unbeaten on 62 from 27 balls, an effort that included seven towering sixes and three boundaries.
His late-innings blitz helped England post a challenging total of 312 runs in their 39 overs. The combination of Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Livingstone gave England the upper hand, leaving Australia with a steep chase.
Déjà Vu: A Flashback to Rohit Sharma’s Carnage
Livingstone’s onslaught reminded fans of another iconic moment featuring Starc. In June 2024, during a T20 World Cup Super-8 match, Rohit Sharma hammered Starc for 29 runs in an over, smashing four sixes and one four. Starc, who has been one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket, had another dark day in his career as Livingstone recreated that nightmare.
Notably, Starc also faced a similar situation two months prior during the IPL, when Karn Sharma hit him for three sixes in an over. This string of big-hitting collapses in Starc’s overs has been a recurring theme, highlighting how top-tier batsmen are now targeting even the best bowlers under pressure.
England’s Total Boosted by Livingstone’s Heroics
Thanks to Livingstone’s late fireworks, England managed to put up a competitive total of 312 runs, despite the shortened format. His power-packed innings, combined with contributions from the top order, put Australia on the back foot in what was an action-packed ODI at Lord’s.
This incredible inning not only marked a significant personal milestone for Livingstone but also solidified his reputation as a dangerous batsman who can turn a game around in just a few overs.
