ENGLAND became only the third team to beat South Africa in a home one-day series after the final match in Durban was abandoned because of rain.

With the 12:30 h start delayed, a 13:00 h pitch inspection was called off after the onset of another heavy downpour.

With rain still falling, the umpires called off the match at 15:00 h, handing the five-game series to England 2-1.

The tourists have two warm-up matches before the start of the four-match Test series on December 16 in Centurion.

With the series set for an enthralling climax after England’s seven-wicket win on Sunday, the weather once again intervened with England captain Andrew Strauss poised to mark his 100th one-day international cap with a series victory against the third best one-day side in the world.

Only Australia have beaten South Africa on home soil in a bilateral series, while West Indies won a triangular series involving the Proteas in 1993.

England’s victory ends a run of 15 successive one-day home series wins for the hosts, much to the delight of Strauss.

Boosted by the return of Kevin Pietersen, the consistency of Paul Collingwood and James Anderson, as well as the emergence of Jonathan Trott, Strauss believed England have the nucleus of a team with real potential building up to the 2011 World Cup.

“It’s a big step forward for the group,” said the 32-year-old.

“We have a great group of players who can continue improving over the coming months and with the World Cup not a million miles away, it’s important we keep that group together for as long as possible.

“I think the guys have enjoyed having the shackles taken off them to a certain extent. A lot of our one-day cricket over the last few years has been played like men under a lot of pressure.

“A lot of the players were under pressure, playing for their places and because the results weren’t very good.”

Collingwood was named man-of-the-series for his all-round performances, scoring 275 runs and claiming five wickets in an impressive international renaissance.

“I enjoy the wickets here, there’s a little bit of bounce and a little more off the back foot,” said England’s most capped one-day player.

“I’ve enjoyed the number four position, it’s given me a new lease of life. I feel really confident and in good nick – hopefully that will continue into the Test series.”

South Africa captain Graeme Smith admitted his side had been outplayed in significant parts of the series.

“They deserve credit for the way they have played cricket,” said the 28-year-old.

“If we can learn lessons from this it can be an important stepping stone for us looking ahead to the next 12 months.”

The five-match series began on a damp note when the first match in Johannesburg was abandoned because of rain while England clinched the second international by a convincing seven-wicket margin.

However, they were comprehensively beaten in the third match, a 112-run victory in Cape Town. (BBC Sport)