England gave Australia its toughest game of the World Cup so far on Sunday and was still beaten soundly.
England had won the toss and batted first in the Super Eights match and looked set to go past 300 as Kevin Pietersen scored his team's first century in six tournament matches.
But Australia dug in and tore through England's middle and tail to precipitate a collapse from 230-5 to 247 all out.
Captain Ricky Ponting then hit 86 to lead Australia to 248-3 and a seven-wicket win that reaffirmed his team's status as overwhelming tournament favorite.
"That's the most we've been tested," Ponting said. "If we'd been chasing 280, it would have been a really difficult run chase ... taking a few more risks."
Before Sunday's game at Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Australia had easily beaten Scotland, the Netherlands, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh.
Even after a testing start against England, Australia moved to eight points at the top of the Super Eights standings and looks to be cruising to a third straight title.
It has two points more than Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and four more than South Africa.
England is six points back and tied with West Indies and Bangladesh. It must now beat Bangladesh, South Africa and tournament host West Indies and rely on other results if it is to finish in the top four and reach the semi-finals.
"We're making it difficult for ourselves," England captain Michael Vaughan said. "We are going to have to win the last three games now."
England had looked set for a far higher total after reaching 164-2 in the 30th over. That was before the dismissals of Ian Bell (77), Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff slowed the run rate.
"We looked like posting 280-290, and I think on that wicket that would have been a really competitive total," Vaughan said. "We could have won today."
Shaun Tait, who finished with 3-41, continued England's woes at the top of the order and Glenn McGrath finished with 3-62. Nathan Bracken took 3-33.
Vaughan and the recalled Andrew Strauss both departed early, playing on from deliveries by Tait.
Vaughan went for five and has now scored a total 12 runs in his past four innings. Strauss was deceived by a slower delivery to go for seven.
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