Durban: The second ODI between South Africa and England at Kingsmead here was abandoned on Friday after only 11.2 overs of play was possible due to incessant rain.
Heavy showers overnight in Durban and more persistent rain throughout the day frustrated the players and fans, with the game called off at 7 pm local time (1700 GMT).
Interestingly, with this match being called off, the Kingsmead stadium recorded an unwanted record.
It is the third time in a row that ODI matches in Durban between the two sides have been abandoned due to rain. The only time they have produced a result at Kingsmead was a five-wicket win for South Africa in 1996.
The first instance of this unwanted record happened in 2005 when the home side won the toss and opted to bat first. They were bundled out for 211 as the match was reduced to 48 overs.
England in reply lost two wickets for seven overs inside 3.4 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned.
The second instance occurred in the fifth ODI of the 2009 series wherein rain continued throughout the day and the match was abandoned without a ball bowled.
The third instance occurred on Friday, February 8 when after a 75-minute delay for the toss, play started as England sent South Africa into bat, with the home side reaching 38/1 before the players left the field for the first time.
They returned for another brief spell at the crease but heavy rain won the day with the hosts on 71/2, having lost Quinton de Kock (11) and Temba Bavuma (21).
The home side won the first match in the current three-game series by seven wickets in Cape Town on Tuesday. The final fixture will be staged in Johannesburg on Sunday.
