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South Africa clinched the one-day series against England after rain washed out the sixth match in Durban.

Already 3-1 down in the series, England bowled the hosts out for 211, despite a patient 118 from Herschelle Gibbs.

Kabir Ali and the recalled Alex Wharf took three wickets each and Darren Gough took an impressive 2-14.

But the tourists stumbled to 7-2 chasing an adjusted target of 213 in 48 overs before the umpires abandoned the match because of persistent rain.

That left South Africa sitting pretty with a 3-1 series lead and just one match left, in Centurion on Sunday.

England's bowlers had performed well after South Africa had won the toss and opted to bat.

Wharf took wickets with successive deliveries in the fourth over

Wharf came into the side for a fatigued Matthew Hoggard, and struck in his second over, removing Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis with successive deliveries.

The South Africa captain edged a delivery that kept a little low coming across him, for Trescothick to take at first slip.

Kallis was tangled up and hurried going for a pull, the ball coming off his hand and shoulder to second slip Andrew Strauss, leaving South Africa 1-2.

Gough went wicketless in his opening six overs, but allowed just six runs, generally bowling a hostile length.

I guess over the course of the whole series 3-1 is a fair reflection Michael Vaughan More post-match reaction

He was rewarded on his return when he had dangerman Justin Kemp caught at fine leg off a top-edged hook and Makhaya Ntini taken in the deep by a leaping Strauss.

Gibbs had provided the backbone of the innings, but was far from his usual forthright self, a six off Ali's first over one of his lone extravagances.

Shortly afterwards, Ali removed recalled opener Adam Bacher after a nervous 35-ball 15.

And South Africa were unable to build on half-century partnerships between Gibbs and both Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher.

Centurion Gibbs was short of long-term partners

Michael Vaughan used his own off-spin in tandem with Ashley Giles to see the home side go 89 balls in the middle of the innings without a boundary.

Giles removed Ashwell Prince for 27, via a frustrated thrash to cover, and Wharf returned to have Boucher caught off a cut to third man.

Almost two hours were lost to rain, before South Africa were asked to face a further five overs - giving themselves 48 in all.

They responded by losing their last three wickets for 31 more runs, including Gibbs mistiming a booming drive to cover.

His 133-ball innings, including his second century of the series, included just 10 fours.

England, however, found batting even more awkward.

Marcus Trescothick deflected his fourth ball from Shaun Pollock to second slip, and Geraint Jones soon fell to a top-edged pull off Ntini.