England win one-day series after match called off

(GETTY IMAGES)

England won their one-day international series against South Africa without setting foot on the ground in the final match - thanks to the Durban weather.

The pattern of the past week repeated itself today at Kingsmead, where drizzle began sweeping across a playing area under full cover from around noon local time - two and a half hours before the scheduled start.

Heavier rain set in as usual by mid to late afternoon, preventing any play and resulting in an eventual abandonment at 1700 local time (1500 GMT).

Although England captain Andrew Strauss had insisted yesterday his team wanted the opportunity to turn their 2-1 lead into a 3-1 victory, the washout was very much in their favour.

England therefore became only the second tourists - after Australia - to ever beat their hosts in an ODI series in South Africa.