Australia have set England a target of 279 to win the Tri-series final after recovering from a slow start in Perth this morning.
Glenn Maxwell did most of the damage, falling just short of a century on 95 runs, while Mitchell Marsh racked up 60 of his own to help post a fairly competitive total.
The former was finally sent packing after going for the big shot to reach what would have been a deserved hundred, top-edging high which allowed Jos Buttler to catch under little pressure, while the Lancashire man also collected at the stumps to run out Marsh.
James Faulkner [50*] launched a late assault to help Australia further extend their tally, although things initially got off to a sluggish start for the hosts when some solid bowling by James Anderson sent Aaron Finch back to the pavilion with his account unopened.
David Warner reached 12 runs before seeing his time at the crease come to an end in similar fashion, while George Bailey was next to go for just two.
However, Steve Smith remained calm with wickets falling around him to reach 40, before Maxwell, Marsh and Faulkner let loose to leave Australia on 278-8 at the interval.
England have lost their last 12 ODIs against the Baggy Greens on Australian soil.
