British summer rains on England's parade

Rain forced the abandonment of the third one-day international between England and Sri Lanka on Sunday with the hosts' hopes of taking a 2-0 lead thwarted just four overs into their run chase at Bristol.

England, who lead the five-match series after a thumping 10-wicket triumph at Edgbaston on Friday, were 1-16 and chasing Sri Lanka's tally of 9-248 when the match was called off.

Rain had earlier delayed the start of England's reply.

Sri Lanka fought their way to 9-248 but were unable to make the most of half-centuries from three batsmen.

After losing a wicket in the first over, Kusal Mendis (53), Dinesh Chandimal (62) and captain Angelo Mathews (56) all passed 50 to help Sri Lanka recover, but none of them could convert those innings into big scores after England put the tourists in to bat.

Upul Tharanga gave the tourists a handy boost down the order, adding 40 from 33 balls.

Chris Woakes took two wickets with his last two deliveries in his 3-35 and fellow seamer Liam Plunkett had 3-46, to help England contain the tourists.

Alex Hales, who had scored 133 not out in the second one-dayer in an England record opening partnership of 256 with Jason Roy, was caught off Suranga Lakmal for a golden duck on the third ball of the run chase.

England leads the five-match series 1-0 and can now wrap up the series at The Oval on Wednesday.

England XI: Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett,Adil Rashid

Sri Lanka XI: Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Farveez Maharoof, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal