Southampton: This was just another day, just another defeat, for a team of cricketers going through the motions as the summer winds to a close. But Australia are eyeing an unthinkable 7-0 whitewash and regain ODI no. 1 Posiion.

Cameron White accepts he'll have to cede the No 3 berth back to Australia captain Ricky Ponting despite scoring his maiden ODI century in the position.

White's 105 saw Australia to a six-wicket win over England in the third ODI at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday as the world champions went 3-0 up in the seven-match series.

Ponting looked on from the pavilion, having only recently arrived back in England after taking a break following Australia's 2-1 Ashes Test series loss.

One of the world's leading batsmen, Ponting is set to return in his favoured position for the fourth One-dayer at Lord's on Saturday where another Australia win would secure a series victory.

White, who only made his maiden fifty at this level in Friday's series opening four-run success at the Oval, even suggested he would understand if, in the unlikely event, he was dropped rather than demoted this weekend.

"I understand Ricky will come back and bat three," White told reporters at the Rose Bowl after stumps.

"It was just until Ricky got back no matter if I got three ducks or scored some runs," White, who first came to prominence as a leg-spinner and then a middle-order batsman, said of his latest role.

"He's the best player in the world."

Asked if there was a case for not changing a winning side and so keeping Ponting on the sidelines, White immediately replied: "No."

Reflecting on his stint so far at No 3, White said: "I've really enjoyed the opportunity, so we'll see what happens on Saturday when we get to Lord's.

White, who has batted higher up for his state and English county Somerset, said: "I didn't really know where I was batting when I got here, I didn't even know Rick was coming home to be honest.

White's century took 116 balls with a six and nine fours and the only downside was that he was out before Australia passed the winning post.

Together with stand-in skipper Michael Clarke (52), White shared a decisive stand of 143 after Australia had been 52 for two.

Australia, chasing 229 to win, won with nine balls to spare. They finished on 230 for four under the floodlights after holding England, who won the toss, to 228 for nine.

For England's Ashes-winning captain Andrew Strauss, who top-scored for the hosts with 63, it was a familiar experience as his leading batsmen failed to fire as a unit for the third time in as many matches.