England struggle in women's Ashes finale

England have crawled to 163 in the third and final ODI against Australia as they attempt to break their drought in this year's multi-format Ashes series.

The tourists are yet to record a win this summer and will be desperate to take some momentum into next month's ODI World Cup in New Zealand.

But after electing to bat first, England seemed more intent on surviving than setting Australia a challenging target.

England's batting at the Junction Oval in Melbourne was akin to Test cricket rather than the 50-over format as they were dismissed with three balls remaining in their innings.

Opener Tammy Beaumont (50) and star batter Natalie Sciver (46) occupied the crease for 26 overs during their 88-run partnership.

When Beaumont attempted to lift the lagging run-rate she lost her wicket to emerging Australian legspinner Alana King, triggering a collapse of 8-56.

Five Australian bowlers took a wicket, with young allrounder Annabel Sutherland (4-31) starring to claim the best ODI figures of her blossoming career.

Sutherland's third wicket came when Rachael Haynes hung onto a brilliant catch at point.

The tourists made three changes to their XI, including giving a debut to opening batter Emma Lamb who was out bowled for a second-ball duck to superstar Ellyse Perry.

Quick Kate Cross was ruled out of the match after hurting her wrist in the field on Sunday.

The urn has already been retained, but Meg Lanning's team have an opportunity to clean sweep the three-match ODI series and pile more misery on the reigning ODI world champions.

Australia won the first of the three Twenty20s, with the two other matches washed out, drew the Test in Canberra, but have been dominant in the ODIs.

England are yet to claim a win over Australia all