Liam Livingstone believes IPL experience will boost Lancashire performances

He endured a disappointing 2018 as he captained his county to relegation from Division One before resigning at the end of the season, but was still picked up by the Rajasthan Royals at the 2019 IPL auction...

Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone is confident that playing in the upcoming Indian Premier League will help improve his performances with the bat for the Red Rose.

Livingstone endured a very disappointing 2018 as he captained his county to relegation from Division One before resigning at the end of the season.

Though his performances were lacking, the 25-year-old was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL auction for £55,000, while England internationals like Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan went unsold.

“It was a bit of surprise, if I’m honest,” he told The Independent. “You don’t know when your name will come into the auction and I had already been watching it for a couple of hours.

^{Liam Livingstone failed to go past 50 once in the 2018 County Championship season}

“It was all a bit strange really, it was pretty much like Homes Under the Hammer. Your name comes up and then the owners start bidding. It was really nice to be picked up.

“I don’t want to miss any cricket for Lancashire but having the chance to go out and play with some of the best players in the world and share a changing room with them as well is the reason I went in the auction in the first place.

“It’s a great platform to showcase my talents. Lancashire have been very understanding and know why I want to go and play in these tournaments.

"My focus in 2019 is to not look too far ahead. I want to do as much as I can to develop and evolve my game. If I have that confidence in myself, that will help me when I get back to playing for Lancashire. And whatever happens from there will happen.”