Chasing a modest 232-run target set by the hosts, Australia were in cruise control mode as a third wicket century partnership between skipper Aaron Finch Finch (73) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) helped them post 144 for 2 with less than 100 runs to win the game and seal the series.
However, in a dramatic turnaround of things, the visitors innings completely got derailed as seamer Chris Woakes dented their middle order with three quick strikes and played a pivotal role in bowling the Aussies out for 207.
Australia suffered a major collapse as Woakes dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, well settled Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession before seamer Jofra Archer castled Mitchell Marsh to leave Australia reeling on 147-6., beginning a run which saw Australian lose three wickets for one run in eleven deliveries.
"That's as well as we've bowled for a while," said England captain Eoin Morgan. "We took advantage of conditions, the ball reverse swung a little bit, went up and down. Our group of four seamers were outstanding."
Earlier the match, England won the toss and elected to bat first did not get off to the best possible start as opener Jonny Bairstow fell for a duck to Mitchell Starc and out of form batsman Jason Roy ran himself out for 21.
Batting mainstay Joe Root and skipper Eoin Morgan staged a recovery of sorts before Root was trapped leg before wicket by leg spinner Zampa for 39.When Zampa dismissed Morgan and Billings in quick succession and Starc came back strongly to scalp Sam Curran, the hosts were reeling at 143 for 7.
Tom Curran (37) and Adil Rashid (36) struck a valiant 76-run partnership for the ninth wicket and amassed over 50 runs in the last four overs to help the hosts post a respectable 231-run total.