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Despite centuries from Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh at Chester-le-Street early this morning, the Australians were still crushed by six wickets by England with 32 deliveries spare.
England goes into the fifth and final ODI at Old Trafford on Sunday seeking its first series whitewash against the old enemy.
And unless there’s a dramatic change in fortunes by the Australians, that record is simply there for the taking.
But this morning there was a glimmer of hope early on with the Australian top order of Finch (100), Marsh (101), and Travis Head (63) compiling 264 to outscore England’s top three of Jason Roy (101), Jonny Bairstow (79), and Alex Hales (34*) with their 214.
The combined two-team top order total of 478 is the highest ever set on English soil.
But Australia’s 264 cut a huge hole in their total of 310, with only Ashton Agar’s 19 reaching double figures, the rest collectively looked like a long distance telephone number.
Australia should have reached at least 350 with the start they had, but they simply weren’t good enough with England’s paceman David Willey capturing 4-8 off just two overs at the end.
It doesn’t seem to matter what total Australia sets, England has them comfortably covered.
And one of the main reasons is the inept Australian attack that keeps getting slaughtered by a superb England batting order.
How can these Australians reach international level when they can’t bowl line and length which are essential basic fundamentals?
You would think short and wide would have been drilled out of them at grade level, long before they reached state level.
Obviously not.
Left arm orthodox spinner Agar is an exception.
He will never be picked because of his average that hovers above 66, but first picked with his economy rate around six an over.
Agar is a line and length merchant, and this morning he did both in bowling Joe Root, and having the skipper Eoin Morgan caught behind to finish with the best figures of 2-48 off eight.
The rest of the Australian attack managed little for plenty as canon fodder for eager England batsmen.
Simply, the overall Australian attack is an embarrassment to watch, and until they get the basics right, or even close to right, they will continue to be an embarrassment.
That’s taking nothing away from England’s exciting batting, it’s just making it far easier to tee off.
The biggest disappointment on this nightmare tour has been all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who is very capable of being a team leader with both bat and ball.
But he’s gone MIA.
He’s scored just 76 runs from four visits to the crease, with a top score of 44 before Glenn Maxwell ran him out at Trent Bridge with a ridiculous call – average 19.
With the ball he’s bowled 24 overs in taking 1-186 with an economy rate just under eight.
It’s worth repeating that next Sunday at Old Trafford the Australians have their last chance to stand up and be counted.
But don’t hold your breath waiting for what seems a miracle.