Women’s Ashes 2015: England will fight back, says Kate Cross

England Women are 4-2 down to Australia in the Women’s Ashes but seamer and Sky Sports blogger Kate Cross insists the series is far from over…

It wasn't the easiest drive home on Monday night after we had lost the final Royal London ODI against the Aussies, especially after we made such a promising start in Taunton on Tuesday.

The fact of the matter is that we didn't play anywhere near our best cricket in the final two matches and we were simply outplayed. We make no excuses for that. We knew the Aussies would come back hard after the first game and credit to them, they did.

We are now 4-2 down in the Women’s Ashes series with the Kia Women’s Test match and three NatWest T20Is still to play. But, trust me, there is still a lot that can happen.

There is a lot that can still happen in this Ashes series. We are going to come back hard and fight tooth and nail to keep the series alive.

It's time to go home, recover and spend some time with our families before we go again next week. Just like the Aussies, we are going to come back hard and fight tooth and nail to keep the series alive.

It was absolutely incredible to see how much support we had this last week. The crowds have been amazing, and it was such a shame our last game was rain affected because we heard Worcester had pre-sold close to 3,000 tickets. We hope to see continued support throughout the series (head to ECB.co.uk to buy tickets).

Belting out the national anthem at Taunton has to be one of my favourite moments, even if I did have to apologise for my dreadful singing to the poor girls in front of us in the line up! This photo below still gives me shivers (more on my woeful singing later).

The Jenny Gunn Show

Despite the loss on Monday in Worcester, it was an honour to witness Jenny Gunn take her 200th ODI wicket.  An incredible achievement and I was so pleased for her – I'm sure she has many more to get for us this series.

I still maintain that she has the best/worst bowling face in the history of the game. Something else she can be proud of… If you don't know what I'm talking about, just give her a Google image search!  Here's a little preview…

Off the Pitch

Despite the two losses, we have had a few interesting moments off the pitch this week. The first comes from traffic boredom. Winnie (Lauren Winfield) and I have been car sharing this week and on the road to Worcester we set the Go Pro up on the dashboard.

We thought we would treat the team to a little sing song on our WhatsApp group. I won't say much more but all I will say is that we intended to belt out some Heather Small, and we got a little surprise from Mr Freddie Mercury. Our faces are a picture.

The second incident comes from our walk back from Nando’s on Sunday evening. It was a drizzly day and Winnie, the Hoof (Anya Shrubsole) and I were moaning about the fine rain that soaks you through.

The Hoof had a poor choice of footwear on in the circumstances. Some tan, shallow slip-on boat shoe-esque numbers. She was regretting her decision as she kept slipping around in them.

Moments later we were crossing a road when I noticed a pigeon had been unfortunately run over and splattered into the road. The inevitable was about to happen... Anya (on her phone, obviously) hadn't seen it and planted her entire left “hoof” right through it!

I was in two minds: do you be a little bit sick in your mouth or laugh? Loz and I chose the latter! I feel this picture captured the moment perfectly: Winnie in stitches, the Hoof rinsing her foot in a gutter and the poor remains of the pigeon in the distance.

Turn Up the Heat

I am delighted that Brisbane Heat have announced this week that Winners and I have signed for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) which kicks off in December. It is the first of its kind and I'm so excited to have signed my contract.

It'll be another momentous occasion for the fast-growing women's game and it'll be an amazing experience for me where I can hopefully further my game. I've heard Brisbane is quite nice at that time of year, too!

I'm mega excited that I'll be over there with my fellow northern monkey and partner in crime, Winnie. Hopefully there will be more 'Heather not so Small' incidents for everyone to enjoy!

Thanks once again for your support and hopefully see you in Canterbury. Until my next blog, over and out.

Crossy

Coverage of the Women's Ashes continues with the Test match in Canterbury, live on Sky Sports Ashes from 10.30am on Tuesday, August 11.