The second Twenty20 international between England and South Africa at Old Trafford has been abandoned with the tourists on the cusp of victory.
After persistent rain had delayed the start of the contest, the umpires deemed the conditions safe enough for a reduced nine overs per side match.
Having lost the toss, South Africa batted first and posted 77-5, with Hashim Amla again stealing the show with an unbeaten 47 from just 30 balls.
England began their reply slowly and suffered an early loss of wicket when Robin Peterson superbly caught Craig Kieswetter off the bowling of Dale Steyn.
Alex Hales and Luke Wright pushed England up to 29-1 after four overs, six balls short of the five-over mark that is required to constitute a match.
With England needing to reach 41 by the end of the fifth over without losing any further wickets, to be ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis system, Wright was caught in the deep by Morne Morkel.
Wright's dismissal left South Africa firmly in control, but before play could resume, the rain reappeared, leading to a no result.
England will be looking to level the three-match series when they face the Proteas in the final match at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Joe Fish
