England have set Australia a target of 243 runs after losing nine wickets in the third one-day international in Sydney.
The tourists, who have already succumbed to two defeats in the five-match series, won the toss and elected to bat.
Skipper Alastair Cook enjoyed his longest stint at the crease thus far in the series, registering 35 off 36 balls - including one boundary - before bowing out of the match due to the combination of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Glenn Maxwell.
Ian Bell (29) swiftly followed his partner back to the pavilion after being run out for the second match in succession, with David Warner this time finding the stumps to end the right-hander's game.
Michael Clarke produced an excellent one-handed catch to dismiss Ben Stokes - who failed to register a single run at The Gabba last time out - as the Australia captain condemned the all-rounder to yet another disappointing display at the crease in the 23rd over.
Eoin Morgan, who recorded a century in Friday's defeat in Brisbane, joined Gary Ballance and got off the mark with a gentle single to long-on.
Australia swiftly claimed their fourth wicket of the morning through Dan Christian, who caught Ballance's (26) sliced strike from Coulter-Nile's short delivery.
Stuart Broad and Joseph Butler endured short-lived spells at the crease, with the duo registering five runs between them before being dismissed by Christian and Coulter-Nile respectively.
Tim Bresnan and James Tredwell ended the innings not out for the tourists as Australia's batsmen chase 243 runs for the victory.
