First ODI lost to rain

The first one-day international between England and South Africa has been abandoned due to persistent rain in the Welsh capital.  The teams only managed to make it through 5.3 overs with England reaching 37-0.

The game was originally reduced to a 24 over match as play was delayed until 3pm before one wide ball was bowled, before rain caused players to head back to the pavilion. 

When they returned, Ian Bell hit two sixes in his 26 not out from 18 balls as England progressed to 37-0 before the rain returned and this time, no resumption was possible.

The second game of the five-match series is at Southampton on Tuesday 28^th August. 

In other news, there is much hope that the rain can stop for the Twenty20 finals day tomorrow, also at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.  The semi-finals begin at 11am with Sussex taking on Yorkshire, then at 2.30pm Hampshire v Somerset.  The final will then start at 6.30pm.

Stuart Banfield, cricket correspondent