The series is locked at one win apiece after Australia won the opening match in Southampton on Wednesday before England hit back to triumph two evenings later in Cardiff, setting up a potentially fascinating climax.
But Sunday's showdown looked certain to be reduced-overs affair if it takes place at all, with rain having been falling since 7am local time - seven-and-a-half hours before the scheduled start time.
Meanwhile, England revealed their squad will again be without captain Jos Buttler for the upcoming one-day series against Mitch Marsh's men as he recovers from a calf injury, leaving them to turn to exciting batter Harry Brook to lead the squad.
Their promising 20-year-old pacer Josh Hull is also out of the series with a quad injury, with the in-form allrounder Liam Livingstone, the match-winner with bat and ball at Cardiff, drafted into the ODI side too.
The first ODI of the five-match series will take place on Thursday at Trent Bridge.
England's ODI squad to face Australia:
Harry Brook (capt), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner.