ENGLAND will have to wait for their chance to go top of the world one-day international rankings after a frustrating washout against Australia at Edgbaston. Several times during yesterday, it seemed as if the third NatWest Series match might get under way – albeit in a shortened format – only for rain to dash plans and finally, at 18:10hrs umpires Aleem Dar and Rob Bailey announced an abandonment which leaves England 2-0 up with two to play.
They can no longer therefore complete the 5-0 series whitewash they need to depose Australia from number one in the International Cricket Council rankings, and become the first team to top the table in all three formats.