England frustrated by rain in second ODI against South Africa

England’s bid to level the one-day international series against South Africa looks set to be dashed by intermittent rain at Durban.

Following a delayed start of almost two hours because of the inclement weather around Kingsmead, South Africa reached 38 for one after 6.3 overs, having been asked to bat first.

However, after around half an hour of play getting under way, the heavens opened once again. There was a brief dry period but rain returned to cancel a planned inspection of 5pm local time (3pm GMT).

The match has already been reduced to 45 overs per side and would almost certainly be shortened again if the players do come back on the field.

If there is a no-result here then the world champions must win at Johannesburg on Sunday to avoid a first ODI bilateral series defeat in three years.

England were unchanged from the side that lost the series opener at Cape Town, where Quinton de Kock’s century went a long way to underpinning South Africa’s win.

But the South Africa captain was dismissed for 11 off 17 balls in a brief window of action, bowled for the second time in as many innings by part-time off-spinner Joe Root, before the weather interruption.