Australia and India suffered an Australia Day no-result at the Sydney Cricket Ground, meaning Friday’s game between England and India is effectively a semi-final for a place in the Tri-Series showpiece.
The hosts, who had already reached the final with three wins from three, and the World Cup holders managed just 16 overs in soggy Sydney.
The result aids India, who would have needed a crushing bonus-point defeat of England at the WACA Ground if they had lost today.
As it is, a win for either side will see them progress to the one-off final, while a tie or another washout will see England qualify.
The forecast for Perth on Friday is for sunshine and showers.
Today’s start was delayed by 40 minutes but when play began no overs had been lost.
Australia had stand-in skipper George Bailey back from suspension, batsman David Warner returning from injury, and included paceman Josh Hazlewood, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh plus spinner Xavier Doherty.
India, who lost the toss, picked seamers Ishant Sharma and Stuart Binny plus fit-again all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Just 2.4 overs were possible before rain intervened with the tourists four for none, and a delay of almost an hour followed.
The other overs possible came without interruption, in-form Mitchell Starc having Shikhar Dhawan held at first slip before Warner held an excellent catch running back from cover to give Marsh the wicket of Ambati Rayudu for 23 from 24 balls.
Rayudu had hit Marsh for a six over long-on to go with two fours.
Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 27 and Virat Kohli on one in a score of 69 for two when the players were forced off again just before 5pm.
Play was called off shortly after 8pm.