NEW DELHI: England clinched the three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand 1-0 on Thursday after the third match at Eden Park was washed out following just 3.4 overs.

The series had already been disrupted by rain, with the first T20 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch abandoned, and England securing a 65-run victory in the second game at the same venue on Monday.

On Thursday, rain forced the players off the field after just three balls had been bowled. When play resumed after an 80-minute delay, the match was reduced to 14 overs per side.

New Zealand faced another 3.1 overs before rain returned and the players left the field again with the host team on 38-1.

A final effort was made to restart the match at 10pm local time with eight overs per side. But just as the players were about to take the field, a final heavy shower ended the match.

Questions will now be asked about the decision to play a T20 series against Australia and England in October, during New Zealand's Spring. Of the six scheduled matches, only two were completed.

New Zealand and England will meet in the first of three one-day internationals at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

(With AP Inputs)