Rain came to Edgbaston to end another competitive game with honours even after Australia had reached 261-9 from 50 overs and England had made 37-1 in six overs in reply.

An electrical storm had stopped play with England 8-0, but brighter skies had permitted a restart 102 minutes later, by which time the Duckworth/Lewis target was 200 from 33 overs.

Prior to more rain definitively ended proceedings, Andrew Strauss (25) pelted Glenn McGrath for four boundaries in an over before getting a leading edge. The no result leaves England top of the group heading into the final at Lord's on Saturday.

Australia's total of 261-9, two more than against England here in the Champions Trophy last September, was respectable, but at various times they had threatened a much bigger score. There was another magnificent innings by Andrew Symonds of 74 off 75 balls, which rescued a flagging performance, before he was brilliantly run out by Paul Collingwood.

Australia targeted Darren Gough as the weak link and he conceded more runs (70) than ever before in ODIs. But only Symonds was aggressive against the miserly Andrew Flintoff, who bowled beautifully to take 1-38 in 10 overs, to add to his figures of 4-29 against Bangladesh two days ago.

Simon Jones, who dismissed both openers, was also impressive in a controlled spell of swing bowling, and Ashley Giles, whose 10 overs cost 44 runs, seemed to have the answer whenever Australia gave him the charge.

Australia had begun with a swagger, reaching 27-0 from three overs, but Jones dragged England back into the game. He defeated Adam Gilchrist (19) with late movement, and then got the better of a fascinating duel with Matthew Hayden.

Hayden was full of confidence until Jones aggressively shied the ball at his stumps and struck him a nasty blow on the shoulder. The feisty opener rounded angrily on the apologetic bowler and the incident seemed to disturb his concentration. He did not add another run before Jones trapped him lbw with an angling inswinger.

In the middle overs, Flintoff's accuracy and aggression put pressure on Australia to score more quickly. Only 11 runs came from six overs and, in the end, Ricky Ponting (34) lost patience and slogged at a good length ball.

Australia rebuilt through the in-form Symonds and Hussey (45). Both played magnificently, eschewing risk before launching devastating attacks on all the bowlers, as even Flintoff and Giles were struck for sixes. Their 100 partnership came in 89 balls and, with eight overs to bowl, Australia were 220-4 and looking at a score of 280 or 290.

But Collingwood dismissed Symonds with a direct hit and precipitated a collapse that saw Australia lose five wickets for 30 runs in 39 balls.

Little separates the two sides at the moment and such a brilliant piece of skill could prove the difference on Saturday.

England: MP Vaughan (capt), ME Trescothick, AJ Strauss, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, A Flintoff, GO Jones, AF Giles, D Gough, SJ Harmison, SP Jones.

Australia: RT Ponting (capt), AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, DR Martyn, A Symonds, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, GB Hogg, B Lee, JN Gillespie, GD McGrath.

28 Jun, 2005