The covers are coming off! Or at least, the outer covers are. But the umpires have still got their umbrellas up. Argh!

Cricket journalist Lawrence Booth on Twitter: It's stopped raining here at The Oval. If they restart by 8.51pm they won't lose any overs.

Bryan Waddle
BBC Test Match Special

"If nothing else, this is a disappointing outcome for England, because they were on a roll. These two players looked like they could do it. If New Zealand win on D/L, at least it will take it to the next game at 1-1."

Justin: The rain lasted about half an hour here in Crystal Palace.

Lev Parikian: It is no longer raining in West Norwood. Lasted about 15 mins here.

Just by the by, if England were six wickets down rather than seven, they would be one run ahead on Duckworth-Lewis and in all probability, we would be praying the rain holds on. Eoin Morgan looks pretty gloomy on the England balcony...

England bowler Stuart Broad on Twitter: Don't rain, don't don't rain!

Too late Stuart, too late...

Image source, Getty Images

Here's the important info. England are behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score. They need 354, so if there's no resumption New Zealand will win. However, we have an extra half-hour built in for just such eventualities, so we don't start losing time until 20:51 BST.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It doesn't look great here at the Oval. The big tarpaulins are being dragged on. It could have been a fantastic finish to a great game of one-day cricket."

Can you believe it? Brendon McCullum glances beseechingly at Steve Davis, and it works. The covers are coming on, with the rain falling steadily. The game doesn't deserve this...

Image source, Getty Images

England need a boundary, and Adil Rashid provides it with a terrifically cheeky bit of improvisation! He gets over to the off side and scoops Southee to the midwicket boundary for four. But then...

Oh dear, you don't want to be doing that Liam. He leaves a legal delivery from Southee's first ball, then scampers a single off the second. Rashid wants two when he hits Southee into the off side, but slips on the wet surface as he turns. This is now England's highest ever ODI total batting second, and the rain is falling...

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Plunkett has come in and played an absolute blinder."

Now Rashid gets in on the act, lofting Santner over extra-cover for a one-bounce four. The young offie is under pressure, but recovers well with a good last two balls.

Image source, PA

Thomas Bonser: Yes Liam!! Win or lose great effort this from England showing no fear and always on the attack what we have wanted to see!

Plunkett creams Santner over the ropes for six! They're bouncing in the stands again...

A sprinted two brings up an unlikely 50 partnership between Plunkett and Rashid off just 34 balls. We're in for a heck of a finish...

Another one down in the field for New Zealand. Guptill drops a skier from Plunkett, who responds by launching Southee into the stands for six! It's not over.

So, 90 needed off the final 10 overs. Can England make an unlikely stab at this? Will the weather gods intervene? Plunkett is charging like a frisky bull at Pamplona - he's itching to get down the track and give Boult the heave-ho, but he can't quite muscle him away. Four runs only make it a frustrating over for England, but here's the good news - Boult's done for the day.

Well, these two still believe. Plunkett welcomes Mitchell Santner back into the attack by clubbing him down the ground for four to bring up England's 300 - and that's with 64 balls left. Taken in isolation, this has been another terrific batting effort. Rashid then reaches to sweep Santner powerfully for four. But I think England's fun could be about to be ended...they're scurrying for umbrellas in the stands.

Image source, PA

Jonathan Horrocks: Fabulous effort by England to be in this chase for so long. Just not quite going to be our day.