The Ashes: England bowler Kate Cross says removing Australia's 'aura' was key to success

The Visitors - considered by many to be one of the greatest sports teams of all time - need only win one more game to retain the Ashes, but have now lost three consecutive games after previously taking a six-point lead.

England slipped to 235-8 chasing 264 before Cross came into the crease with skipper Heather Knight, who finished unbeaten on 75 to complete the stunning fightback.

"I was just like, 'I don't want to lose this game' - I saw we lose too much ash," said Cross, who hit an unbeaten 19 from number 10 as England completed their highest ODI chase at Bristol.

"I thought I would channel my inner Chris Woakes and show that number 10 can beat.

"We know we still have a lot of work to do; they're the best team in the world, but we're hanging on."

The Australian world champions were previously on a remarkable run of 41 wins in their last 42 ODIs, but have been rocked by England's attacking approach in the clean ball series so far.

And Cross says focusing on his own game rather than Australia's record is key to slowly breaking the visitors' grip on world cricket.

"We tried to take away the aura around this team," Cross, 31, said.

"When I came out batting, Heather just said 'it's counter bowling - running for you. It's not Ash Gardner, it's just offside and you face them in the net every day." That mindset has done wonders for us so far."

"The ashes are at stake"

Losing is unfamiliar to Australia, which is without its inspirational leader Meg Lanning and makes so many unusual mistakes.

This is a team renowned for their exquisite discipline on the pitch and with the ball, but she fumbled, offered extras and caved under pressure from England.

"The Ashes are in the game now for good," Australian skipper Alyssa Healy said.

"So if that doesn't galvanize the band, I don't know what will. We don't have been in this position a lot and we see it either as an opportunity to learn and grow or as an opportunity to make an apology.

"It's up to us to turn things around for the next two games."

Over 20,000 people attended last week's T20s at Lord's and The Oval, and the three ODIs – in Bristol, Southampton and Taunton – have all been sold out.

"The support was amazing," Cross added. "It's like having a 12th person behind us - we've captured everyone's imagination and we desperately hope more people are a part of it."

Former Australian player Mel Jones says it's a tough challenge for Australia to face, especially back to the wall for the first time after a decade of domination.

"England look at their opponent and see a team that is not playing well at all," said Jones on Sky Sports.

"The crowd and the whole country is rolling with them, and it's really hard trying to change when you're an opposing team in an away series."

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