England v Australia: Third ODI washed out

Fans wait in the rain as play is halted during the third one day international (GETTY IMAGES)

England must win the final two matches in Cardiff and Southampton to prevail in the NatWest Series, after rain prevented a result at Edgbaston.

The hosts trail 1-0, after defeat at Emirates Old Trafford and a washed-out opener in Leeds, in the five-match one-day international series.

Only 15.1 overs were possible in Birmingham - where England stumbled to 59 for three - before forecast bad weather set in this afternoon and then prevented any further play in the scheduled day-night fixture.

After Australia's 3-0 Ashes defeat and then a drawn two-match Twenty20 series, the tourists therefore remain in pole position to end their disappointing summer on a more encouraging note.

PA