Summary

  • Second T20, Sophia Gardens

  • England chase 194 to level three-match series at 1-1

  • Livingstone hits brilliant 87 off 47 balls & Bethell makes fine 44 off 24; Short takes 5-22

  • Australia 193-6: Fraser-McGurk 50 (31); Livingstone 2-16, Carse 2-26

  • Decider live on BBC One at Old Trafford on Sunday

  • Watch highlights at 23:05 BST on BBC Two and iPlayer

Live Reporting

by Tom Mallows & Mike Peter

  1. 50 runs

    50 for Liam Livingstone

    Livingstone reaches 50 after hitting consecutive sixes

    Liam Livingstone repeats the trick next ball, hammering the ball into the stands to bring up his second T20 half-century.

    The Cardiff crowd is rocking!

  2. Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Sounds

    That was brilliant. When you need 10 an over if you get the first for six that's really impressive.

  3. 6 runs

    Eng 120-3

    Here we go! Liam Livingstone's eyes light up as Marcus Stoinis strays on to leg and he smashes the ball into the stands.

  4. Finely poised with eight overs to go...

    WinViz gives Australia 51% chance of victory, England 49%CricViz
  5. 6 runs

    Eng 113-3

    Bethell smashes Connolly for six

    Welcome to international cricket, Jacob Bethell!

    He has been nervy in his two innings so far, but that will make him feel better. He catches it sweet as a nut to launch the ball over long-on for six.

  6. Cooper Connolly returns to the attack.

  7. Liam Livingstone is OK, though he is (understandably) walking a little gingerly.

  8. Henry Moeran
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Livingstone's walking a little like John Wayne going into a saloon.

  9. ouch!

    Eng 106-3

    Revenge of sorts for Cameron Green, as his next delivery catches Liam Livingstone in the unmentionables.

    That looked...painful.

  10. Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Sounds

    So cheeky this! To go a few times in the over will really frustrate Cameron Green.

  11. 6 runs

    Eng 105-3

    Livingstone's trickery earns a six

    And again - but this time it is six!

    Almost nonchalant from Liam Livingstone as he merely flicks the ball away for six.

    Cameron Green looks furious.

  12. Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Sounds

    Livingstone didn't over hit that, I think the reason he fell over was he was watching it so late into the shot.

  13. Eng 96-3

    Scoop alert!

    Liam Livingstone ends up on the deck but it is a well-executed scoop shot that sails away for four.

  14. Seeing this happen to a professional makes me, very much the amateur, feel better about my fielding in the deep.

    Australia's Fraser-McGurk makes consecutive errors

  15. Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Sounds

    Useful for a left-hander to come in upper-middle order. Without Moeen Ali, someone who can play that role, maybe play a few different slots, will be useful.

  16. Eng 90-3

    Streaky four from Jacob Bethell, who pushes at a delivery from Adam Zampa outside off stump, with a thick edge flying where first slip would be and sails away for four.

    They all count.

  17. Here's what that Salt wicket has done for England's chances, according to WinViz...

    WinViz gives Australia a 79% chance of victory, England 21%CricViz

  18. Eng 83-3

    Target 194

    Jacob Bethell is the new batter as England's middle order is exposed.

    Pressure on Liam Livingstone now to lead England's chase.

  19. Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Sounds

    I'd argue some of that wicket is down to Adam Zampa. That previous over applied some pressure, they wanted to keep up with that rate. Phil Salt felt he should take on Matthew Short.

  20. wicket

    WICKET

    Salt c Abbott b Short 39 (Eng 79-3)

    Salt caught for 39

    Big wicket!

    The Cardiff atmosphere feels deflated as Phil Salt looks to hit Matthew Short back over his head, but can only pick out Sean Abbott coming in from long-on.