The hosts threw away another good start with the bat, with the top-order failing again to turn a rapid 41-0 into 62-3 as the visitors claimed a six-wicket victory with nine balls to spare.
Captain Andrew Strauss batted well for his 63 but was out in disappointing fashion, and no one else passed 50. England's players have not scored a one-day international century since March.
Eoin Morgan (43) did commit himself well, but it took a run-a-ball flurry from Tim Bresnan (31 not out) and Ryan Sidebottom (24) to take England over 200 to a near-respectable total. The two Yorkshiremen put on 40 for the ninth wicket to drag England up to 228 from their 50 overs.
The home side then fielded poorly to give Australia impetus. The visitors never really struggled in their reply, despite a very slow scoring rate. What looked at times like stagnant progress turned into a perfectly timed run chase.
The microcosm of their slow-but-steady overhaul of the total was man-of-the-match Cameron White, who scored just one run from his first 15 balls but went on to make a fantastic 105 - being caught with just nine more runs needed to win.
Captain Michael Clarke battled to 52 from 92 balls in support, and Callum Ferguson (19 not out from 17 balls) and Mike Hussey finished off the game with an over and a half to spare.
England are now 3-0 down with four games to play, and have a small mountain to climb to avoid a humiliating series defeat.
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