The tri-nations final between South Africa and England at The Wanderers has been delayed until Sunday due to the recent heavy rain.

The match was due to start at 12:30 GMT on Saturday, but after a pitch inspection by England coach Duncan Fletcher, umpires Rudi Koertzen and David Orchard, and United Cricket Board managing director Dr Ali Bacher, both sides gave their blessing to a Sunday start.

Torrential rains have killed more than 70 people in South Africa over the past week and tens of thousands have been left homeless.

England captain Nasser Hussain said: "We're pretty enthusiastic about the match, looking forward to it starting.

"It's just a matter of waiting, finding things to do and waiting for it to stop raining.

"There's no whingeing going on. We're just making the best out of it. People ask what they've been doing all day in their rooms, and you just get on with it.

"At this stage you're normally looking forward to the days off and now we're looking forward to the games and even the nets."

Little to do

England practised indoors at Rand University on Friday and will do the same on Saturday, not over-concerned about their relative inactivity.

"It's not really been a worry; it's the same for both sides", Hussain said.

"South Africa have had limited practice and, at this stage, you find you can practice too much sometimes.

"The most important thing is which side will be more switched on and prepared when the game is played on Sunday or Monday.

"We would have liked to have gone to Zimbabwe and prepared early there.

"We've got to do everything to try and finish off the tournament properly so we were prepared to give it the extra day and have a proper final. If it means getting to Bulawayo a day later, so be it."

The weather forecast now looks promising, but If no play is possible the trophy and the prize money will be shared between the two teams.

England's last match in the round-robin series against Zimbabwe at Centurion Park on Wednesday also fell victim to the inclement weather in the Highveld.

Not a ball was bowled, but England progressed to the final because of their superior run rate.