5.29pm: Match abandoned, the umps have bowed to the inevitable. Think the ground had simply absorbed too much water and, with only 40 mins to get back on, they've thrown in the (rather sopping) towel. Thanks for coming, everyone. England remain 1-0 up in the ODI series, go to 14-4 in the Super Series (with six points still to play for) and everyone will head back to London for Wednesday's fourth match at The Oval on Wednesday. Cheerio for now!

5.25pm: Raining as steadily as it has done all day, reports Gnasher. Umpires are heading out for a look, though... Might be curtains.

From the You've Got to Laugh Dept, exhibit 17,873, courtesy Aditya: "Brexit could be followed by Grexit, Departugal, Italeave, Czechout, Outsria, Finish, Slovakout, Latervia, and Byegium. Only Remania will stay."

5.10pm: Sounds like it might be easing off a bit in Bristol... although Wato has this: "I live a bit further out at Yate (8 miles) and its raining that hard I can't even go out and pick the strawberries for tea. Looks in for the duration."

"What about Andrew Strauss as the other candidate for the prime minister post along with KP," chirps Dinuka K. Suppose it could hardly be any worse than it currently is.

And here's KW: "If you want politicians, in Sri Lanka we have a bunch we would certainly like to trade-off..." Ah, well, what an offer... What's my old friend Mahinda Rajapaksa up to these days?

4.55pm: The super soppers are tracking mournfully back and forth across the square, the groundstaff sweeping water away in front of empty stands. Umpire Rob Bailey is out in the middle, under an umbrella. Sadly, with the water table already very high at the ground, this is looking like a terminal delay.

Ram suggests a unity candidate: "Kevin Pietersen as England Prime Minister. He'd do such an innovative job in a post that surely needs some innovation or two."

Here's supun again (two in a day): "Okay, let's move to shree's backyard with 2 teams to resume play... " If the two teams were willing, I can tell you the target on DLS after 20 overs with one wicket down would be 64.

4.50pm: In the absence of any footage or updates from Bristol, here's Shree: "I stay in Bradley Stoke, about 5 miles from the ground, weather here looks promising!!"

I'm not sure if George Macphers is having a laugh here or not: "Anyone to be become Britain's prime minister? There is one person. That person is none other than Jeremy Corbyn." I think he's got enough problems on his hands...

"Pakistan's PM is already there, u can have him definitely," offers Zeeshan Usmani

Danish: "Go get your haircut Rucheek.." Probably good advice. It's looking a bit of a haystack.

4.35pm: Still raining, I believe. Does anyone want to be prime minister of the UK?

"You might as well pack up your stuff lads the forecast is pretty grim." Thanks for the advice, Scott. I'm actually typing this in on my phone as I take the train home...

Here's Darshin: "Just in case, it becomes a 20 overs game, what will England be chasing? Do you have D/L experts at Cricinfo :P." Don't talk to me about "experts"... But, yes, someone will work it out for us. Just not me.

4.20pm: Sounds like the rain is getting heavier... We are now losing overs, FYI. The cut-off time for getting back on is 6.11pm.

"Will England lose by D/L if match is abandoned now?" No, Krishnan, it will be a no result. Need 20 overs for a game in ODIs.

"Late to the crease but is this a day/night game?" wonders Jonathan. "If not can they agree to extend to make it so? On a rather topical note not sure if max European working hours come into this." It is not a day-nighter, no - and Gloucestershire don't have permission to the use the floodlights today, in any case (the ground is in a residential area and they can only turn them on a set number of times a year, I believe). On the latter point, I think the considered answer is: no one has a sodding clue about anything right now.

4.10pm: The big covers are being brought on to protect the square. Bristol is right under a great big curtain of rain, according to the radar

"I guess rain would manage to win more than Sri Lanka in this tour. We all miss Sangakkara." Rain is a powerful foe, Matanat. Although it can also be an ally. Not even King Kumar can control it.

"I always have a chuckle at the 'why are my posts not published' comments... and ironically why those ARE published. Maybe the wonderful commentary team are too busy publishing comments about not being published!" It's tricky job, Jon, but someone's got to do it...

4pm: So we have another delay for rain, the covers being rolled on and the groundstaff having to earn their corn again. Why not go and check out the Euro 2016 latest over on ESPNFC while we wait further weather updates? All looking quite grim around Bristol right now, so could be a while.

Does publishing amit's comment prove his theory? Who knows... "My experience shows that rain interruptions, drinks break, innings change are the best time to get your comments published on espncricinfo."

John: "Don't fret, supun. Even comments as brilliant as mine don't always get published." This is also true.

And at the end of the over, the umpires meet again and decide to take the players off. Disappointing scenes but it seems as if the rain is just a smidge too persistent for all involved.

"Am I on your blacklist..?? That may be the reason to not to publish my comments." Have you contributed anything worth publishing, supun? Ask yourself that

The umbrellas are popping up again in the crowd