England appeared set to win 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 seemed sure to repeat 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 was forecast to set in as usual by mid to late afternoon, meaning the chances of even a minimum 20-overs-per-side match were remote in this day-night fixture.
Although England captain Andrew Strauss insisted yesterday his team want the opportunity to turn their 2-1 lead into a 3-1 series victory, clearly a washout would suit them better than their hosts.
Should England stay in front, they would be only the second tourists - after Australia - to ever win an ODI series in South Africa.
