Liam Livingstone catches Steve Smith’s wicket, then surprises everyone with a football-style celebration by kicking the ball into the air
The first match of the highly anticipated 5-match ODI series between England and Australia was filled with exciting moments at Trent Bridge. While Australia secured a dominant victory by 7 wickets, one of the more unusual highlights came from England’s all-rounder, Liam Livingstone. During the match, Livingstone grabbed the attention of cricket fans with an extraordinary celebration after catching Steve Smith out.
In a moment that has now gone viral, Livingstone caught the ball and, in an unusual twist, kicked it high into the air like a footballer.
Livingstone’s Football-Style Kick Takes the Spotlight
The moment took place during the 16th over of Australia’s innings. Steve Smith, on strike, mistimed a delivery from Liam Livingstone. The ball flew straight towards Livingstone, who managed to catch it effortlessly. However, it was what happened next that surprised the audience. After making the catch, Livingstone tossed the ball into the air and kicked it high, celebrating in a way more reminiscent of football than cricket.
The English cricket team’s official social media handles shared the video of this unexpected celebration, which quickly spread among fans, adding a fun and light-hearted moment to an intense game. Smith was dismissed after scoring 32 runs, including 3 sixes, thanks to Livingstone’s sharp catch.
High-Scoring Game Ends in Australia’s Victory
The match itself was a high-scoring thriller, with England putting up a competitive total of 315 runs in 49.4 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat. Ben Duckett was England’s top performer, scoring 95 runs, while Will Jacks added 62 runs to the total. However, despite England’s strong batting, they couldn’t keep up with Australia’s powerful chase.
On the Australian side, Travis Head stole the show with a blistering knock of 154 runs, which included 20 boundaries and 5 sixes. His aggressive batting set the tone for Australia’s successful chase of 316 runs, which they completed in just 44 overs. Marnus Labuschagne also played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten with a quick 77 runs. Contributions from Steve Smith and Cameron Green, who both scored 32 runs, ensured that Australia crossed the finish line comfortably.
England’s Bowlers Struggle as Australia Cruises to Victory
England’s bowlers had a tough time containing Australia’s strong batting lineup. While Liam Livingstone managed to take a wicket with his all-round skills, others like Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell struggled to make an impact, each picking up just one wicket. Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne were key bowlers for Australia, taking three wickets each to restrict England’s total.
Though England lost the first match of the series, Livingstone’s creative celebration remains one of the memorable moments from the game, showcasing the lighter side of the sport.
