London, June 10: The London Spirit has appointed England all-rounder Liam Livingstone as captain for the upcoming season of The Hundred. The 31-year-old Livingstone brings a wealth of experience from international cricket and various franchise leagues, establishing himself as one of England’s top white-ball players.
In a statement from the franchise, Livingstone expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to captain London Spirit at Lord’s this summer. It’s a fantastic venue that attracts the largest crowds in the country. I know the fans will create a special atmosphere for each match. Our team is filled with talent, and I want us to make history this summer. I can’t wait to get started.”
Livingstone was named the ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the inaugural season of the tournament in 2021, where he played a crucial role in leading Birmingham Phoenix to the finals. Over five seasons with Phoenix, he has scored 996 runs in just 36 innings, hitting a remarkable 71 sixes.
In addition to The Hundred, Livingstone has become an integral part of England’s white-ball team. He has represented his country 100 times across all three international formats, amassing 1,903 runs and taking 58 wickets.
The decision to appoint Livingstone has been backed by the management of London Spirit, who view him as a key player for the franchise’s long-term goals. Head coach Andy Flower stated, “It’s great to work with Liam, both on and off the field. I’ve known him since our time with the England Lions.”
Signing Livingstone was one of our initial priorities, as we recognized how crucial his role would be in our endeavors at Lord’s this summer. His drive to improve and succeed is essential for what we want to build at London Spirit. I am confident he will lead the team forward.”
Alongside the announcement of the new captain, London Spirit has also revealed its complete coaching and support staff for the upcoming season. Flower will serve as the head coach, while former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will take on the role of batting coach and mentor. Former England spinner Graeme Swann will be the spin bowling coach, and former New Zealand international Andre Adams will oversee the fast bowlers. Richard Halsall will serve as the fielding and wicketkeeping coach.
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