Final women's ODI washed out

England captain Charlotte Edwards with the NatWest Trophy at Chesterfield

England women’s hopes of completing a whitewash against their South African counterparts were dashed as the final one-day international was abandoned due to torrential rain.

The hosts won the NatWest Series 4-0 ahead of today’s fifth encounter at Chesterfield which had been scheduled to begin at 10.45am.

The series victory included the record-breaking 225-run win in the second match at Lord’s.

The presentation for the series will be held at Northamptonshire CCC on Saturday August 23 after the final of three NatWest Women’s International Twenty20s.

Captain Charlotte Edwards said: “It’s great to win another series – it gives us huge confidence going into the Natwest women’s Series against India and the three Twenty20s which are coming up.

“It’s perfect preparation ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 next year.

“We were disappointed to have the last game rained off especially at a lovely ground like Chesterfield. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed for better weather and a good game on Wednesday when we play the first NatWest women’s International Twenty20.”

The NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 series kicks off at Chesterfield on Wednesday at 3.30pm as England look to continue their domination over South Africa in the shortest form of the game.

Edwards is confident England can continue where they left off against the tourists and continue their unbeaten run this year.

The games will provide useful preparation for the NatWest Series against India which starts on August 30 with the first of five ODIs interspersed with the Twenty20 international.

“Twenty20 cricket has really taken off in recent weeks which definitely adds to the excitement surrounding these games," Edwards added.

“It’s a format of the game that we all really enjoy, especially with the charged atmosphere at grounds and the excitement that it produces. We’ll all be heading into these games determined for a series win, which would put us in good stead ahead of the ICC women’s World Twenty20 in England next year.

“We made a great start against South Africa in the one-dayers and we’ll be keen to continue that form into these two games and then the series against India. It will be a tough challenge, but one that we are more than prepared for.”