England's women clinched a series-winning victory over Australia on the final ball of a nail-biting third one-day international at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Laura Marsh hit the two runs needed off the last delivery to give England a two-wicket win and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Australia managed 150 for eight in a game reduced to 29 overs a side and that looked at one stage like it might be enough, only for England to snatch victory at the death.

The contribution of Ellyse Perry appeared key as she first smacked an unbeaten 16 off nine balls at the end of the Australian innings and then claimed the crucial wickets of Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards.

The loss of Taylor, Caroline Atkins, who top-scored with 35, and Edwards in the space of 11 runs made things tough for England, as they slipped from 62 for one to 73 for four.

But useful contributions from the likes of Beth Morgan (18) and Katherine Brunt (13) gave them hope before Jenny Gunn (11 not out) and Marsh (eight no) guided them home.

Earlier Nicky Shaw had set England on their way with the wickets of Shelley Nitschke for a duck and Leah Poulton for seven.

Lisa Sthalekar (38) and Lauren Ebsary (40) steadied the ship, putting on 79 for the fourth wicket, but Sthalekar's dismissal by Morgan sparked a collapse.

The tourists slumped from 102 for three to 105 for seven as England restricted them to what proved a makeable target.

Shaw finished with two for 22, while Holly Colvin and Morgan also claimed two victims.