England's fastest T20I centurion is aiming to return for the tournament warm-up against Pakistan at The Gabba (October 17) but will only do so if he is 100 per cent fit
Liam Livingstone is unwilling to risk his recovery from an ankle injury by making an early return to competitive action with England ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since August after tripping on a kerb and suffering ligament damage.
Livingstone is hopeful of returning for the tournament warm-up against Pakistan at The Gabba on October 17.
But he will only do so if 100 per cent fit.
"In my head, I'm aiming for the warm-up game against Pakistan but if I push it too hard, too early you knock yourself back," he told Press Association.
"We're trying to get that balance right; push it as hard as we can without aggravating it.
"I wouldn't want to go into a game not being 100 per cent. Ultimately, there's no selfish reasons to do that. I don't think that's the right thing for me to do and I don't think it's the right thing to do for the lads.
Livingstone's men's Hundred campaign was cut short by injury (David Rogers/Getty Images)
"We've got an unbelievable squad out here and I certainly wouldn't want to be representing my country at 90 per cent.
"It's improving really quickly. It's got much better quicker than I thought it was going to.
"Finally we're at the exciting part of the rehab, we're getting close and can see light at the end of the tunnel. I'm excited to be back out there and back playing."
Both captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott have been coy over Livingstone's availability for the World Cup opener against Afghanistan on October 22.
Should he make a full recovery, Livingstone would be expected to remain in Australia beyond the tournament for the three-match one-day international series and the Big Bash League.
Indeed, it was the day that his move to Melbourne Renegades was confirmed in the BBL overseas player draft that the ankle injury emerged.
With such a heavy workload this winter - he is also signed up for the new CSA T20 competition starting in January - Livingstone was grateful for some time to recharge the batteries.
A busy winter looms for Livingstone if and when he returns to full fitness (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
"It wasn't ideal, but I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason and maybe I just needed a break," he added. "I'd pretty much played three years of solid cricket so it's been nice to spend a bit of time at home.
"Now, I feel like I'm that kid again in the back garden wanting to play cricket every minute of the day.
"Something I've always found difficult is when the right time is to have that break. We've got short careers, you want to go around the world expressing your talent, you want to go and play in different tournaments.
"Coming out and playing in a Big Bash is great fun but you've got to remember we're playing cricket at the top level, the pressure of it and the mental side of it can get to you without realising.
"I've seen this injury as a real positive for me because it's given me time to get away from cricket.
"I went away for a holiday with my family to Portugal and literally came back a new man, you don't quite realise it until you've done it. Mentally the break's done me the world of good."
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