An unbeaten captain's knock of 88 from Heather Knight has helped England defeat Australia by 20 runs in the final ODI of the women's Ashes.
The tourists prevailed in a drama-packed contest at Coffs Harbour that featured a record-breaking total, rain, dropped catches, collapses and a career-best innings of 71 from Australia keeper Alyssa Healy.
The result means Australia lead the multi-format series, decided via a points system, 4-2 ahead of next week's one-off Test and the ensuing three Twenty20s.
The inaugural day-night Ashes Test starts at North Sydney Oval on Thursday week. Four points are on offer, meaning Australia will retain the urn if they prevail.
Knight, who admitted after Thursday's ODI loss she erred by sending the hosts in, made the right decision after winning Sunday's toss then powered her side to an imposing 8-284.
Spearhead Megan Schutt snared figures of 4-44 but England posted their highest total in an ODI against Australia, surpassing the 3-279 they managed in 60 overs while hosting the 1973 World Cup.
"We did a lot right today but couldn't get over the line," Healy said.
"She (Knight) batted really well and would have been a big wicket for us to get, but in saying that our bowlers did really well in that final 10 overs to keep them to 280.
"They looked like they were on track for a little bit more."
Australia reached 0-39 from 6.1 overs when showers interrupted play and reduced their target to 278 from 48 overs.
They finished 9-257 despite Healy top-scoring with the highest score of her ODI career, having been dropped on four.
"Disappointing to not go on with it," she said, having earlier completed a stellar stumping and held a sharp catch.
"I probably should have been there towards the back end and guided the run-chase home."
Fellow opener Nicole Bolton, who benefited from reprieves on 14, 24 and 40, scored 62 and pushed Australia to 1-159 before offering a skied catch that shifted momentum.
The hosts' bid for a 3-0 sweep of the ODI component of the series unravelled spectacularly amid a game-changing collapse of 6-57.
"Full credit to England, they really put the squeeze on and we found it really difficult to score," Healy said.
England will take confidence from the way gun batters Knight, Tammy Beaumont (74) and Sarah Taylor (69) all found form, while their bowlers didn't panic as Healy slapped 12 boundaries.
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