Travis Head scored 96 as Australia came to life in the ODI series, having England 8-5 at one point in the innings.
Losing four of the top six to ducks and Alex Hales only managing 3, the tourists were facing down the barrel of their lowest ODI total.
However captain Eoin Morgan (33) and Moeen Ali (33) rebuilt to a point, before Morgan's dismissal left his side 61-6 and struggling to make three figures.
But the brilliant Chris Woakes counterattacked with a classy 78, on a pitch that only seemed to improve as play went on.
With Ali and then Tom Curran scoring a career best 35, the lower-order took England to a fairly respectable total of 196.
Pat Cummins took 4-24 in an impressive spell of bowling where he perhaps deserved a 5-for.
After their courageous innings with the bat, the bowlers again had it all to do to defend a low total.
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| Travis Head starred with the bat. Image credit of The Guardian |
Travis Head, recalled to the side to replace the series' top run scorer Aaron Finch was the star in a chase that had plenty of problems.
Woakes got rid of David Warner early, then Curran had Cameron White trapped lbw.
Rashid removed Steve Smith cheaply and it seemed the tourists had a glimmer of hope.
However a series of cameos down the order from Mitchell Marsh (32), Marcus Stoinis (14) and then Tim Paine with a not out 25 proved enough to see their side over the line.
England's aggressive attitude has been the key reason behind their turnaround as a limited-overs force, but their willingness to play at the ball was their downfall this time and almost saw them pick up the unwanted record of the lowest total in ODI history.
After their outstanding form since their dismal World Cup exit in 2015 there are worries that the side may have peaked too soon too finally break their World Cup duck and win the tournament for the first time.
Luckily however, these days are few and far between, coming only against the top cricketing nations.
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