England were denied the chance to win their first series under new white-ball captain Jos Buttler after the final ODI against South Africa was abandoned due to rain.
The series was set up nicely at 1-1 after South Africa won the first ODI at Chester-le-Street by 62 runs and England triumphed in the second at Old Trafford by 118 runs. However, just 27.4 overs of play were possible at Headingley, with the series ending 1-1.
It was a huge shame as the match was set up quite nicely before the rain came, with Quinton de Kock approaching a century for South Africa. Having won the toss and decided to bat first, De Kock led the charge as he struck a fluent 92 off 76 balls and was unbeaten alongside Aiden Markram when the game was abandoned with South Africa 159-2.
David Willey and Adil Rashid picked up England's sole wickets, with Willey getting Janneman Malan caught at point for 11 and Rashid getting Rassie van der Dussen caught at deep square leg for 26.
Meanwhile, De Kock was in brilliant form as he brought up his 29th ODI fifty off 39 balls by striking Rashid for two boundaries. Rain then hit during the 21st over with South Africa 119-2 and the players did briefly return for 6.5 overs, before a much heavier rain shower hit and forced the match to be abandoned.
Although the series may not have ended with a washout, it will be remembered for Ben Stokes' final appearance in an ODI shirt after the all-rounder retired from the format following the first match at his home ground.
"This has been an incredibly tough decision to make," Stokes said in his retirement statement. "I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.
"Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do | feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all."
England will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on South Africa in the first T20I in Bristol. They are not scheduled to play another ODI series until November, when they are set to face Australia following the T20 World Cup.
