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Right then. From 0-6 down after the first two matches of this multi-format series, England have managed to fight back with three wins on the trot to make it 6-6. What an Ashes series this is turning out to be with the hosts somehow clinging on to the hopes of retaining it. All the momentum is with them right now, so now the onus is on Australia to turn things around. They haven't been in this position too many times before, so it's a real test of their character now. Only two games to go then, and there's everything to play for in those two games. So, make sure you don't miss out on any of the action in the next couple of games. For now, though, it's time for us to call it a night. This is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my partner, Soorya Sesha. Goodnight!
England skipper Heather Knight is the Player of the Match for her incredible unbeaten 75. Here's what she has to say: It was really tough after we got to about 130. The way Kate Cross played, she just came in and we broke it down, tried to play with intent. I think we can be a lot better as well on our best day but the fight in the side is remarkable and it showed today. (On the roar she let out after hitting the winning runs) I was trying to keep it in, stay in my little bubble. It was a tricky wicket and I had to rotate the ball around. We kept losing at regular intervals but great to get the job done. I'm sure I was a lot calmer than I would have had I been watching. (On Cross playing the ramp) That's her best shot. Fine leg was up and we had a chat. We said it might be pace off. Really pleased for Kate - she's probably not had her best day but she's one of the most resilient people I know. There's a lot we can do better. The first 10-15 overs we were a little bit off. It was probably the easiest time to score but we could have made it tough by using our variations. But we're still winning and making it work. The way Tammy and Capsey batted early on - it was probably the easiest time for batting and they were brilliant. We're gaining a bit of momentum and every game has been close. I wouldn't mind less nail-biters to be sure but it's just great to be there at the end. Lots of family and friends here so great to do it. (Sell outs at Southampton and Taunton) We've just kept growing as a team. Still got a long way to go but the clarity under pressure for me and the way we've communicated well and kept calm (is great). The support from the crowd has been awesome. The support's really made a difference and hopefully that continues in the next two games.
Alyssa Healy (Australia captain): We were probably outplayed a little bit. We're going to turn it around. We were probably 20 short and bowled 20 extras, that's 40 runs in the game. I think the spinners did an outstanding job on that wicket. There are areas we want to improve on in the next game. (Batting) We couldn't quite get into the swing of things, we'll take a look at that. I still think we could have 20 extra runs there and that's the difference in the fixture. The Ashes are properly on the line now. If that doesn't galvanize the group, I don't know what will. We haven't been in this position too many times before, so it's up to us to turn things around. We've been showing character in patches. We've got to be better and sharper in the last few days.
Match Summary: England beat Australia by 3 wickets to go 1-0 up in the 3-match ODI series.
Oh. My. Word. You cannot write this script. Every game has ebbed and flowed in dramatic fashion throughout this multi-format Ashes series and after staring down the barrel at the conclusion of the first T20, England have drawn level on points. It's 6-6 now with two games to go and this is as riveting as it can get!
England did a superb job with the ball to restrict Australia to 263/8 even if the pitch was tacky. What followed though was sheer carnage as Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey tore into an insipid Australian pace attack and carted them to all corners of the park. Sophia Dunkley failed to lay down a marker but there was no stopping Beaumont and Capsey who just didn't break a sweat. The seamers didn't help themselves by bowling all over the place though and with as many as 19 extras conceded in the first ten overs, Australia were on the back foot very early and had plenty of catching up to do.
The pitch did show signs of abrasion as the ball stopped in the surface for the spinners. Capsey in particular was in a menacing mood but Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner tightened the screws with the wickets of the two set batters. Heather Knight then walked in and struggled considerably as she was kept quiet without any sort of freedom to break free. With Natalie Sciver-Brunt working the spinners around with ease though, England were always in control.
At least, that's what it looked like until she attempted one reverse-sweep too many. Knight got into her zone thereafter and rotated the strike around with the intention of seeing her team home. Danielle Wyatt was batting well herself but Australia kept chipping away at the wickets. The shot selection left plenty to be desired as Amy Jones and Sophie Ecclestone threw it away to continue leaving the door ajar for the visitors, even as Knight's presence kept England just in front.
When Sarah Glenn also gifted her wicket away, one feared that England were botching it up. Enter Kate Cross - she not only hung around with Knight, but also picked her moments effectively and unleashed some outstanding, powerful shots to drive England closer to the target. It got the crowd on its feet and despite Alyssa Healy rolling the dice one last time with Megan Schutt, there was no stopping Cross before Knight capped off an innings of sheer grit and character with the winning runs. From a point where it seemed like this would end around the 35th over, the chase went right down to the wire. All's well that ends well though for England as their hopes of regaining the Ashes remain relevant!
The Ashes are indeed alive! And believe it or not, Australia have lost three in a row across formats! England fight to see another day and in the most dramatic fashion at that. What a game!
49.0
48.1 Jess Jonassen to Heather Knight, FOUR! THE ASHES ARE WELL AND TRULY ALIVE! Full and outside the off-stump, Knight carves it out through point to give England a thrilling victory that levels the Ashes at 6-6 with two games to go. She throws her bat and embraces her partner at the other end. What a game of cricket. What a series this is turning out to be! England win by 3 wickets.
A very tough chance but alas, Schutt cannot hold on. That could well be the last straw for Australia. Of course, they can only tie the game at best now but this has been something spectacular from Kate Cross. She has stolen the attention away from Heather Knight in a way but the skipper has the chance to seal it now. England require 1 run to win!
48
overs
263/8score
1
4
0
4
0
0
runs
Kate Cross*
19(20)
Heather Knight
71(85)
Megan Schutt
1/40
47.6 Megan Schutt to Kate Cross, CHANCE! That's a drop! Pitched up outside the off-stump and Cross hammers it straight back to the bowler. That was travelling, probably crashing into Schutt's face as she instinctively got a hand on it to find it away
47.5 Megan Schutt to Kate Cross, pitched up in the off-stump line. Cross shovels it out to mid-off, no run
Kate Cross! You cannot be doing this. The scores are level now...
47.4 Megan Schutt to Kate Cross, FOUR! BUILD HER A STATUE! Time and again, she finds a way to contribute with the bat when it's needed the most. Overpitched outside off, Cross drills it through the covers to level the scores!
47.3 Megan Schutt to Kate Cross, on the good length outside off. Cross solidly defends it into the off-side, no run
GO CROSSY! Oh that is extremely brave and she has brought it down to within one strike now for England.
47.2 Megan Schutt to Kate Cross, FOUR! She would have been very cross with herself if she hadn't pulled that off. Now that she has, it's nothing but delightful. On the good length outside off, Cross shuffles across and ramps this past Healy to find the boundary. Pressure? What pressure?
47.1 Megan Schutt to Heather Knight, full on the off-stump line, Knight presses it back to the bowler. Schutt can only get a hand on it and can't prevent the single
Last roll of the dice from Healy...
Megan Schutt [6.0-0-31-1] is back into the attack
England in front again but it'll only last as long as another wicket doesn't fall here. Just three overs to go and every ball is an event here. Kate Cross has been nothing short of outstanding so far but it'll be fitting in so many ways if Knight has the final say in this contest. England require 10 runs to win off 18 deliveries at 3.33 RPO.
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County Ground, Bristol
Kate Cross
*
Megan Schutt
Video
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