Andrew Wu at the Rose Bowl
Cameron White's maiden international century lifted Australia to a six-wicket victory over England - its third win from as many one-day internationals - at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday night.
White survived three reprieves to make 105 off 124 balls as Australia overhauled England's total of 9-229 with nine balls remaining to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven battle.
A win at Lord's on Saturday, when Ricky Ponting takes over the reins from deputy Michael Clarke after his sabbatical, will see the visitors secure the series after relinquishing the urn last month.
White, the only centurion on either side after three games, was the difference between the two teams.
Whereas England's scoresheet was littered with failures and lost opportunities, White's ton ensured Australia never lost its nerve even as the equation climbed above a run a ball entering the final 12 overs of the game.
The Poms have only themselves to blame for their defeat.
After spluttering through its innings in fits and bursts, England gave White, who shared a match-winning 143-run stand for the third wicket, every chance to succeed.
The precociously talented Victorian survived run out opportunities from James Anderson on 46 and 70 then was put down on 92 by Tim Bresnan, who grassed an absolute sitter in the deep.
His luck ran out in the 48th over but by then Australia's task was a straightforward nine off 16 balls.
Whereas England was weighed down by a string of soft dismissals Australia prospered on the back of White and Clarke.
After Shane Watson and Tim Paine departed cheaply, the pair never lost their heads as England tried to squeeze the life out of them with their slower bowlers on a sluggish wicket.
The return of frontline quicks Ryan Sidebottom and Anderson in the 36th and 39th overs saw the run rate climb above six an over.
But 47 runs between overs 40 to 46 tipped the balance well and truly back in Australia's favour.
England's innings did not gather any steam until Bresnan and tailender Sidebottom added 40 off 41 balls for the ninth wicket.
Mitchell Johnson (2-39) and one-day specialist Nathan Bracken (1-36) continued their fine form this series while Watson collected 3-36 from eight overs as he strives to re-establish himself as an all-rounder.
Captain Andrew Strauss top-scored for the home side with a lively 63 off 72 balls but will be furious with himself for failing to bat deeper into the game.
Eoin Morgan made a resolute 43 during the middle overs as wickets fell at a steady rate around him.
Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Collingwood, who wasted 52 balls for his 28, and Wright all holed out after mistiming swipes.
The dismissal of Strauss, however, will be the one which England rues most.
Strauss, as he has in almost every game against Australia during the tour, was rarely troubled.
He crunched three boundaries from as many balls against Brett Lee in the third over and reached 50 off only 60 balls.
But as has been England's wont during this series, Strauss could not score the century his team so badly needed from a member of its top order.