Ellyse Perry delivered a hammer blow to England's hopes of regaining the Women's Ashes as her seven for 22 helped Australia complete a clean sweep of one-day international wins.
Set 270 for a victory that would have given them some momentum heading into the only Test, England capitulated to 75 all out from 32.5 overs, undone by the accuracy of Perry, who recorded the best ODI figures by an Australian.
England's third lowest ODI score of all-time saw them slump to a comprehensive 194-run defeat at Canterbury, with a 6-0 deficit in the multi-format series giving them little margin for error.
Disappointing day. Australia take the points. Scorecard: https://t.co/onxtzE92QR#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/0RN65HcF1r — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2019
Indeed, England must now win the Test, which will be played at Taunton from July 18-21, as a draw would mean that even if they prevailed in all three of the following Twenty20s, the series would end in a stalemate and Australia, as holders, would retain the urn.
England's previous highest chase of 243 never looked like being bettered on Sunday once Amy Jones tamely chipped to mid-on to perish at the hands of Perry for the third time in the series.
Tammy Beaumont recorded a century last time out but made just four before playing around her pad off Perry, who had the key pair of Sarah Taylor and Heather Knight caught behind.
That left England on 18 for five and worse was to follow. Just three more runs were added before Dani Wyatt was trapped in front, giving Perry her five-for.
At 21 for six, England were in danger of folding to their lowest-ever total though Laura Marsh's 21, allied to Fran Wilson's 17 and Anya Shrubsole's 11, meant they avoided that ignominy.
Nevertheless, they were the only three England batters to reach double figures on a forgettable afternoon for the hosts, who had earlier won the toss and elected to field.
Half-centuries from Alyssa Healy (68) and captain Meg Lanning (69) at better than a run a ball helped to usher Australia to 269 for seven.
Nat Sciver removed both Healy and Lanning en route to figures of three for 51 before Perry took centre stage.
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