Persistent rain resulted in the abandonment of the fourth tri-series ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand without a ball being bowled.

While the covers were on before the start of play it was only as the umpires strode out to the middle that the rain came down.

There were brief intervals of sunshine, but whenever it appeared there may be hope of some form of play, the showers returned. Eventually, nearly four hours after the game was scheduled to begin, the umpires called time on Thursday's damp squib.

The two teams will return on Friday to make use of the reserve day, with a new toss to take place.

Earlier, New Zealand had elected to bat after winning the toss and made three changes from the side that lost to the hosts by three wickets in their previous match.

The visitors replaced Martin Guptill, Tim Southee and Andy McKay with Peter Ingram, Jacob Oram and Grant Elliott.

Sri Lanka, who lost to India by six wickets on Monday, brought in Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Chamara Silva in place of Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Thilan Samaraweera.

Whether the teams will stick to the changes come Friday remains to be seen, but with the game set to be played on the same pitch at the same starting time it seems unlikely there will be drastic changes overnight.