It’s been a year of redemption for Barrovian Liam Livingstone, who has managed to recover his form both with Lancashire and in his spells playing abroad.

This time last year, Livingstone was stepping down as captain of the Red Rose, following an at times troubling campaign that ended with their relegation from Division One of the County Championship, although he did lead them into Finals Day of the Vitality Blast.

Back amongst the ranks, the 26-year-old batted at a healthy average of 46.07, including a knock of 114 against Leicestershire, to help Lancashire back into the top flight as Division Two champions with something to spare.

This came after his first experience of playing in the Indian Premier League, with Rajasthan Royals, where his teammates included Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Steve Smith, and a productive spell in the Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings.

Livingstone said: “It was great fun, especially in the winter, being able to travel around, chase the sun a little bit and experience playing in other countries in different tournaments.

“Coming back to Lancashire, our main goal was to get promoted and our second was to get promoted as champions then take our white-ball cricket as it came.

“We thought we had a decent side in that as well, so it was a bit disappointing to lose in the qualifiers of both of those competitions, but to be able to go up as champions in the red-ball game was very exciting.

“It was what we set out to do and it’s laid a good platform for next year.”

Livingstone will soon be on his travels again, as he’ll be playing for Cape Town Blitz in South Africa’s Mzansi Super League, which runs from November until December.

While back in his hometown this week, he attended Barrow AFC’s 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood at Holker Street on Tuesday night and, although a Blackburn Rovers fan, he is excited with what the in-form Bluebirds are currently building on the pitch.

Livingstone said: “It’s nice to be able to come home and watch some local sport, especially Barrow.

“Ian Evatt loves his cricket as well and he’s been in touch a few times over the summer, saying ‘well done’ and things like that, so it’s great to come and watch what he’s been doing at Barrow and obviously my old club decided to get involved with them as well.

“We’ve obviously got a family link there as well, so it’s great to see them doing well.

“Ian Evatt loves his cricket and I obviously love my football, so it’s great to see what’s going on here and long may it continue.”