Thursday, 5 July 2012:

The Edgbaston rain has ruined any chance England had of surpassing Australia at the top of the one-day international world rankings after the third match of the series was washed out.

England still lead the series 2-0 but can no longer achieve the 5-0 whitewash they needed to depose Australia from the number one spot.

The day-night game was scheduled to start at 1400 local time on Wednesday but frequent downpours meant the toss never took place, much to the local spectators' frustration.

Edgbaston also saw three complete days washed out in last month's Test match against West Indies.

England learned before the series that a 5-0 score line could see them leapfrog Australia, with the seemingly remote chances of that occurring increasing when the home team won the first two matches at Lord's and The Oval.

If England did achieve that unlikely result, they would have become the first team to hold the number one world ranking in all three formats of international cricket.

The sides move on to Durham for the fourth match on Saturday, before a day-night game at Old Trafford next Tuesday.

Australia must now win both to draw the series and contain any psychological edge that England may have as they seek to keep the Ashes next year.

AAP