A century from Irishman Ed Joyce helped England finally break their duck against Australia today after three months on tour - and kept alive their chances of reaching the Commonwealth Bank Series finals in the process.
Joyce's maiden England hundred coupled with crucial early wickets were chiefly responsible for the 92-run victory at the SCG.
It was England's first win against any Australian side and their first in 10 attempts against their Ashes rivals here this winter, having been whitewashed in the Ashes, trounced in the Twenty20 contest and beaten in three previous one-day internationals.
Such was the magnitude of the result, in fact, that they gained the bonus point required to draw them level with New Zealand in the standings.
This was a timely opportunity for Andrew Flintoff's side to pile up 292 for seven, a new England record score against Australia in 50-over contests.
The only bigger total against the old enemy was the 320 for eight made off 55 overs at Edgbaston back in 1980.
The contest was all-but decided by the halfway stage of the chase as Australia subsided to 137 for five - with power hitter Andrew Symonds retired hurt and unable to return.
Durham paceman Plunkett, who finished with three for 24, set the tone when he cleaned up Adam Gilchrist's stumps with the first ball of the innings.
And he reduced the triangular tournament hosts to 45 for three when Michael Clarke slashed a wide one low to wicketkeeper Paul Nixon.
In between those dismissals, the recalled Sajid Mahmood accounted for Brad Hodge, who played on attempting to withdraw his bat.
A stand of 71 in just eight overs between Matthew Hayden and Symonds redressed the balance and reduced the equation required to six-runs-per-over.
But Hayden, who plundered 18 runs in one Flintoff over, picked out cover with a drive at Mahmood and debutant Ravi Bopara removed Michael Hussey, via an inside-edge.
Moments earlier Symonds left the middle, after succumbing to a sore right bicep.
The absence of Brett Lee lengthened Australia's tail and regular wickets accounted for the tail with more than 11 overs to spare. Needing to beat an Australia side without captain Ricky Ponting (hip) to retain realistic hopes of progressing beyond the group stage, the bid was enhanced when Joyce struck England's first one-day hundred in 15 outings.
Joyce's 107 followed his 66 against New Zealand earlier this week, a maiden half-century at international level.
A 111-run share with Ian Bell for the second wicket eased England to 292 for seven.