Edwards' figures were her best of the series so far

England's women will take a 2-1 lead into Monday's final one-dayer against New Zealand after the fourth match in Lincoln was abandoned because of rain.

Having been put into bat, Kiwi openers Katey Martin (79) and Aimee Mason (63) put on 109 for the first wicket.

Stephanie Davies bowled Mason but Martin and Nicola Browne (34) helped the hosts towards a competitive total.

New Zealand reached 258-9 in 50 overs, with England's Charlotte Edwards taking 3-47, when the weather intervened.

The best the home side can now hope for is a series draw and after compiling a decent score with the bat, they will be frustrated.

Aware that rain had been rain forecast, Martin and Mason set about scoring quick runs, Mason smashing Isa Guha for six in the fourth over.

The pair continued to find the boundary and their hundred partnership came from 89 balls in 59 minutes.

Davies made a timely breakthrough when she bowled Mason with the first ball of the 17th over and the wickets began to tumble.

Skipper Edwards brought herself into the attack and trapped Sara McGlashan lbw before having Ingrid Cronin-Knight caught at cover by Claire Taylor. Laura Marsh had Sarah Tsukigawa edged behind without scoring and Amy Satterthwaite made two before being run out.

Jenny Gunn clean bowled Martin and then Beth McNeil to leave New Zealand 216-7.

As the wind picked up and black clouds loomed overhead, New Zealand's lower order kept the score ticking over before Edwards bowled Sophie Devine and Nicola Browne was run out.

New Zealand's total was embellished by 30 extras and England's run chase was thwarted by the rain.