Washout hands series to England

England captain Charlotte Edwards, appearing in her 142nd ODI, became the most capped player in women's cricket

England sealed a 1-0 series win over Sri Lanka after poor weather in Colombo forced the second and final one-day international to be abandoned.

In a game already reduced to 38 overs-a-side due to morning rain, England were 30 for one in search of 174 when the umpires called a halt due to bad light in the 10th over of their chase.

Any hopes play would resume were diminished further when heavy rain set in, resulting in the game at the P Sara Oval being called off.

Earlier in the day, Charlotte Edwards became the highest capped one-day player in women's cricket when she took her side out to field after winning the toss.

The skipper was appearing in her 142nd ODI - one more than Australia legend Karen Rolton - and, although she made only seven with the bat, returned best international bowling figures of 4-30 to restrict the hosts to 173 for eight.

The early sparring belonged to Sri Lanka openers Chamari Atapattu and Chamari Polgampola, who for the second game in succession made a fine start.

Enjoying the pace of Anya Shrubsole and Jenny Gunn, the Sri Lanka pair hit regular boundaries in an entertaining 40-run stand for the first wicket, which came at a run a ball.

But in a mirror image of Monday's clash, England exerted a degree of control once they introduced their glut of slow bowlers.

As happened 48 hours earlier, off-spinner Danielle Hazell made the all important breakthrough, this time bowling Polgampola with her fourth delivery.

Spinner Laura Marsh continued her excellent form with 2-16 from eight overs as Sri Lanka posted 173 for eight

Laura Marsh then dismissed Inoka Galagedara and captain Shashikala Siriwardene in quick succession en route to impressive figures of 2-16 from eight overs.

Hazell soon claimed her second wicket when the dangerous Atapattu nicked behind to Lauren Griffiths to leave the scoreboard reading 73 for four.

Eshani Kaushalya and Sandamali Dolawatta mounted a recovery with a meandering 42-run partnership, but three wickets in as many overs from Edwards ensured Sri Lanka were kept in check.

In reply, Edwards was the only batter to perish, trapped lbw by medium-pacer Sripali Weerakkody, but Heather Knight and Claire Taylor held firm in the Colombo gloom to end on 15 and seven respectively.

Edwards, who is set to lead England in three Twenty20 internationals, also in Colombo, starting on Friday, said: “It was a disappointing day, we obviously want to get as many games in as possible, but that’s cricket, you can’t control the weather.

“We’ll now look towards the Twenty 20 series and hope those games are not affected by the Colombo monsoon season.”