As if being humiliated in the Ashes was not enough, England found their hopes of picking up their first victory against Australia in this the-sooner-we-forget-and-go-home-the-better tour snatched dramatically by the heroics of James Faulkner.
Where to Watch Live
The match is scheduled for a 2.20 local time (8.50 am IST) start with live coverage on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1 in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online HERE. Catch the action in Australia live online HERE, while US viewers can do the same HERE. Live stream the match in England HERE, with the option for Africa viewers available HERE.
The Australia all-rounder pulled off a last-gasp smash and grab of the highest order, scoring an unbeaten 69 from 47 balls to take his side to a target of 301 with a wicket and three balls to spare.
England, who posted 300 for eight in their first innings thanks to a century from Eoin Morgan, were in complete control of the second ODI at the Gabba, and were envisaging finally pulling off a victory, before Glen Maxwell (54 in 39) and then Faulkner decided to twist that knife a little deeper.
"We were outplayed the whole game, bar I suppose the middle overs with the ball," Australia coach Darren Lehmann told Sky Sports. "We needed 100 from 16 and we should have breezed home from there but a couple of blokes played silly shots. We got away with it really.
"Morgan was the best batsman on the night but we bowled really poorly in the last 10 overs, as probably did England."
England were a little at fault for losing their way in the final overs, bowling half-volleys for Faulkner to cart it over the ropes at will. But Alastair Cook and co. will feel they cannot do much better than the second ODI in Brisbane; maybe the fates just won't align on this tour to come away with at least one victory.
"One thing I won't be doing is scream and shout at them," England coach Ashley Giles said. "They are all feeling pretty low. We need to lift them back up. We need to get some energy back because the next game is already barely 24 hours away.
"But we need to learn our lessons as well. We need to get our skills right and we didn't quite get it right at the back end. But we were just a hair's width away from getting it right. Through this journey we need to learn along the way. We have got a World Cup here next year and as long as we are learning and improving as we go then I'm going to be happy.
"We said after batting that when our guys were going it was almost easier - it ran on to the bat and it was quite even. But still, from the position we were in, we would like to have gone to Sydney one-all."
Australia can wrap up the five-match ODI series with a victory in the third ODI in Sydney on Sunday, and the way things are going at the moment, only a brave man would bet against it.
Team news: Australia: Shane Watson is still resting, while Nathan Coulter-Nile might make way for either Xavier Doherty or the returning James Pattinson.
England: Cook might ponder a couple of changes, with Michael Carberry's inclusion a possibility. However, Joe Root's place, despite struggling with the bat, might be secure, after the right-hander picked up two wickets in the second ODI.
Expected lineups: Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Ian Bell, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Tim Bresnan, Chris Jordan, Boyd Rankin.
