Liam Livingstone will make his first County Championship appearance since 2021 when Lancashire face Kent starting June 11, 2026.
Liam Livingstone is scheduled to feature in Lancashire’s County Championship squad for their upcoming four-day Division Two clash against Kent, which begins on June 11, 2026, at 11:00 BST. The match will take place at Stanley Park in Blackpool. The 32-year-old last played in the Championship five years ago, in 2021, after focusing primarily on white-ball cricket in recent seasons. His return follows a request from captain Sir James Anderson, who asked him to assist amid an injury crisis within the squad.
Livingstone admitted he wouldn’t have considered playing if the team had been fully fit. He stated that Anderson and head coach Steven Croft are two individuals he would always listen to. He told local radio, "I don’t think I’d be playing if everyone was fit, but Jimmy asked and if I was ever going to play for anyone, Jimmy and Crofty (coach Steven Croft) are probably my top two people." The team has also signed Australian batter Ben McDermott, who is currently playing in the T20 Blast, to feature in the next two Championship fixtures.
Lancashire currently sit fourth in Division Two after completing six matches, trailing the promotion spots by ten points. Livingstone made his first-class debut for the county a decade ago and has since played 62 red-ball games, scoring seven centuries and fifteen half-centuries. His highest first-class score stands at 224. He also represented England in one Test match during the 2020 tour of Pakistan, which marked his final appearance in red-ball cricket.
Since shifting to white-ball cricket, Livingstone has become a prominent figure in global T20 leagues and The Hundred. His county performances in the T20 Blast this season have been notable, with scores of 85 not out and 81, along with bowling contributions across all four games. With Australian all-rounder Chris Green sidelined due to a fractured thumb, Livingstone’s batting power and off-spin bowling could provide crucial support in the upcoming Championship matches.
Livingstone expressed confidence in his current form, saying, "I feel like I’m batting as well as I ever have. I feel like I’m in good nick." He acknowledged the club’s support over the years and expressed a desire to repay that by helping during their injury struggles. He added, "We’ve obviously had a lot of injuries and the club has given me a lot, so it’s nice to give back and try to help out. I think it’s good for me and good for my game." He also mentioned missing consistent game time in red-ball cricket, particularly batting in the middle order, which motivated his decision to return.
Livingstone’s last County Championship appearance in 2021 came when Lancashire were strong title contenders, finishing second in Division One behind Warwickshire. His return now comes as the team faces a challenging period with multiple injuries. The Red Rose lost three key players for the season within the first three games, including Luke Wells and Ajeet Singh Dale, who suffered season-ending injuries in the same match against Gloucestershire. Chris Green had been brought in early to bolster the squad but was ruled out after fracturing his thumb.
Lancashire have struggled for consistency, winning only two of their first six Division Two fixtures. Despite this, they remain in contention for promotion. Livingstone’s recent T20 performance, including an unbeaten 85 in the previous night’s win over Durham, highlights his white-ball prowess. Over his first-class career, he has amassed over 3,000 runs at an average just below 40. In 2019, he averaged 46 across 11 matches as Lancashire secured the Division Two title.
Though Livingstone hasn’t featured in red-ball cricket for an extended period, his talent suggests he could be a valuable asset. The team and fans are expected to welcome him warmly upon his return to the field at Stanley Park in Lancashire colors. His presence could provide the necessary experience and stability to help the side regain momentum in their promotion push.