Australia face a tough chase to keep the women’s Ashes series alive in the third one-day international against England at Bellerive.

The tourists set the Southern Stars a formidable task, making 4-268 in their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first.

England can ensure they retain the Ashes if they win the match, while a win for Australia would keep them alive in the multi-format series.

Sarah Taylor top-scored for the tourists with 64 from just 57 balls, with opener Heather Knight making 57 (82) and Natalie Sciver hitting out late to make 43 (35).

The wickets were shared between Jess Jonassen (1-50), Erin Osborne (1-52) and Ellyse Perry (1-61), but all proved expensive.

The Southern Stars will need to better their highest total of the series, 7-266 to win the second one-dayer by 26 runs at the MCG last week.

England openers Knight and Charlotte Edwards (34 from 53) put on 79 before the skipper top-edged Jonassen to midwicket.

Knight was run out in a horrible mix-up at 2-120 as Taylor was winding up.

It took a brilliant one-handed diving catch at mid-off from Jess Cameron to remove Taylor, who cracked nine fours in her impressive knock, at 3-191.

Sciver and Arran Brindle (26 from 25) put on a fast-paced 63 to ensure a huge task for the Southern Stars.

Australia again went into the match without skipper Jodie Fields, still nursing a broken finger.

England took six points in the series with their Test win and another two with victory in the first ODI.

Two points are available from Sunday’s match and from each of the three Twenty20 fixtures.