In what comes as another body blow for Punjab Kings, the franchise's star overseas recruit and one of the most explosive T20 batters, Liam Livingstone has been ruled out of the team's opening match in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Livingstone is yet to receive fitness clearance from the England Cricket Board (ECB), and as a result, the destructive right-handed will miss Punjab Kings' game against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1 (Saturday).
"He is out of the first game at least as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status. He should be available from the second game onwards," an IPL source told PTI.
Livingstone has not played professional cricket since December 2022 after he picked up an injury during his debut Test match. The English willow-wielder, who scored 437 runs in 14 games at an average of 36.42 and a sensational strike rate of 182.08, is a vital cog in Punjab Kings' squad.
The Punjab-based franchise already suffered a big blow right ahead of the cash-rich tournament as injured Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the entire tournament.
"We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.” PBKS posted on its Twitter account.
Earlier, reports had claimed that the 33-year-old was still undergoing rehab for the metal plate he had inserted in his left leg, in the aftermath of a freak injury suffered from slipping while playing golf.
Bairstow broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle on September 2, days before the third and final Test of England's home series against South Africa.
With England set to lock horns with Australia in the Ashes 2023 later this year, ECB reportedly decided to deny NOC to Bairstow who hasn’t played professional cricket since August.
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