The Hockeyroos have kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions Trophy final with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over England in Sydney on Thursday night.

Nicole Arrold scored a double and goals to standout midfielder Casey Eastham and Hope Munro secured the much-needed win, which moves Australia (7 points) to third and keeps them in with a chance of playing leaders Argentina (10) in Sunday's final.

Australia must defeat Olympic champions the Netherlands on Saturday if they are to progress to the final, or they will play Germany for third place.

The Hockeyroos, with an average age of just 24, were keen to bounce back from their disappointing 2-all draw with China on Tuesday and were the more determined side in the wet and cold conditions, hitting 18 shots to five on goal.

Australia were on the board in the 14th minute when Arrold converted a penalty corner earned by 20-year-old Eastham.

Eastham looked to have made it 2-0 moments later but the umpire chose not to play the advantage and blew the whistle for an England infringement in the circle.

Eastham made no mistake from the ensuing penalty corner and scored Australia's second goal after pouncing on a rebound from English keeper Beth Storry in the 27th minute.

Arrold scored a carbon copy of her first goal from the Hockeyroos' fifth penalty corner of the match in the 38th minute and Munro found the net in the 54th minute after latching on to Eastham's rocket pass.

The Hockeyroos risked being relegated from the elite competition for the first time in its history had they lost to world No.8 England.

England will play China in the 5th v 6th playoff on Sunday. China will then automatically be relegated as England host the 2010 Champions Trophy in Nottingham.

Samantha Broun
AAP