Australian and England are hoping poor weather doesn’t impact on the deciding one-day game in their women’s Ashes cricket series.

The third of seven matches across three formats looms as a pivotal point in the female Ashes battle.

The sides split the opening two ODIs, with England winning the first and Australia the second.

The victorious side in the final ODI in Worcester on Sunday would establish a two-point advantage going into the one-off Test at Canterbury starting on August 11.

Another win there in a game worth double points would put that team, particularity if it was reigning Ashes holder England, in a virtually unassailable position going into the final three-game T20 component of the multi-format series.

The British Met Office website forecast for Worcester on Sunday isn’t good with rain predicted over an eight-hour block during daylight hours.

Heavy rain is also forecast for at least part of Monday, which is a reserve day for the game should it not be played on Sunday.

“I think both teams really want to get this third one-dayer on the calendar played, so hopefully the rain stays away and we can play tomorrow,” Australian batter Elyse Villani said in England on Saturday.

“If not, I’m hoping the rain can stay away for Monday and we can play. I think it’s important that we get all three (ODI) games in.”

England’s Lydia Greenway hoped having a reserve day would ensure there was a result.

Greenway stressed the importance of England maintaining the positive approach it took into the first two games after they lost 9-74 in the second match, in which full and straight Australian bowling resulted in six bowled and three lbw dismissals.

“After seeing the Australian bowlers bowl full and straight in our last game, we’ve had training and have been able to put a few things into practice,” Greenway said.

“I think the luxury of playing a series is that you can learn as you go along.”