A Katherine Brunt-inspired England are within striking distance of levelling the series after thrashing Australia by 40 runs in the second Twenty20 in front of 4131 at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

Australian captain Rachael Haynes says the hosts were guilty of leaving it to someone else to stand up when the game was in the balance, meaning an England win in the final game will level the multi-format points system at eight-apiece.

Australia seemed to be cruising to another win before the game on its head in a matter of 16 balls as England's seamers sought revenge for Friday night's Beth Mooney masterclass that ensured the Ashes would stay down under.

The hosts lost 4-7 and the huge cheers reserved for Australian fan favourites quickly dissolved into a whisper as they were bundled out for 112 in reply to England's 6-152.

Haynes says she'd like to think her players had no trouble in getting motivated for the final games even though the Ashes are certain to remain with Australia.

"I'd like to think not, we're playing a game for our country. I'd be pretty disappointed if anyone in the change rooms found i really difficult to play,' Haynes said.

"It's a pretty disappointing effort considering the excitement we came off the other day in retaining the series. We've got a lot to prove in this format.

"Unfortunately today everyone just left it to someone else rather than taking ownership of it. It was just a little bit disappointing I think that we didn't give ourselves an opportunity to get close and get it down to the last overs given the wickets we lost."

Brunt had a point to prove following a horror night in North Sydney where she scored a golden duck and conceded 33 runs from three overs.

There would be no nightmares this time around after she plundered an unbeaten 32* (24) and claimed 2-10, while Jenny Gunn bagged a brilliant 4-13.

Things could have been even better for the English if not for the irrepressible Megan Schutt (2-16), whose brilliant display of death bowling gave her side momentum despite the visitors tallying their highest ever Twenty20 score against Australia.

Schutt continued her rich vein of form to keep the visitors to four runs from the final over, but it wasn't enough as Australia crumbled in the run chase.

It's been more than two years since Australia has won a bilateral Twenty20 international series of more than one game, when they defeated Ireland 3-0 in October 2015, but Australia still have a chance to flip the script on Tuesday night.

The series concludes at Manuka Oval when Australian skipper Rachael Haynes can finally get her hands on the prized trophy.

ENGLAND 6-152 (Natalie Sciver 40, Katherine Brunt 32*; Megan Schutt 2-16, Jess Jonassen 1-18) bt AUSTRALIA 112 (Alyssa Healy 24, Delissa Kimmince 17; Jenny Gunn 4-13, Katherine Brunt 2-10) by 40 runs at Manuka Oval.

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November 21: Third Twenty20 - Australia v England at Manuka Oval, 7.10pm. Tickets from Ticketek.