Rain delays start at Edgbaston

Birmingham - Rain delayed the start of the third one-day international between England and Australia at Edgbaston here Wednesday.

The umpires held an inspection at 15:00 (SA time), the scheduled start time, when, after a dry spell, fresh rain started to fall.

A minimum of 20 overs per side are required in order to constitute a match and the latest time such a match can start is at 20:17 (SA time).

Victory for England would give them an unassailable 3-0 lead in this five-match series after 15-run and six-wicket wins at Lord's and The Oval respectively.

And a 5-0 clean sweep would see England replace Australia at the head of the 50-over world rankings and so top the standings in all three formats.