Third day of four in fifth round of the County Championship
Eight fixtures across the three groups of six
Six games washed out
Gloucs chase 90 to beat Middlesex by seven wickets
Only 9.3 overs possible between Hants and Somerset
Middlesex v Gloucs 29-0 (target 90)
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe floodlights are beaming bright at Lord's and shadows from the players are beginning to form.
How long before the umpires deem they've taken over from the natural light? We might not be far off that stage.
Middlesex v Gloucs 21-0 (target 90)
Lovely shot straight down the ground from Chris Dent off Tim Murtagh brings the Gloucestershire skipper four.
It's been a perfect start for the visitors in such a small chase. No early wobbles.
Hants 79 & 92-3 v Somerset 336 - start delayed, rain
In fact, there is some news!
They're going to look to get under way in an hour at The Ageas Bowl. Weather permitting of course.
16 overs to be bowled.
Hants 79 & 92-3 v Somerset 336 - start delayed, rain
Still no news from that 16:00 BST inspection at The Ageas Bowl.
It feels like any chances of a start are slipping away.
Middlesex v Gloucs 10-0 (target 90)
A highly watchful start by Gloucestershire openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Chris Dent.
Plenty of leaves, nothing flashy under the floodlights at Lord's.
They don't need to do anything silly with the forecast set fair for tomorrow.
Middlesex v Gloucs 2-0 (target 90)
Image source, Getty ImagesGloucestershire's fourth-innings chase has begun at Lord's.
With 46 overs remaining, this should be done tonight.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Chris Dent are in the middle for the Group Two leaders.
Middlesex 210 & 152 v Gloucs 273
They'll take tea and Gloucestershire will begin their pursuit of 90 in about 15 minutes.
David Payne finishes with match figures of 11-87. Unsurprisingly that's a career-best.
Middlesex 210 & 152 v Gloucs 273
Gloucestershire will need 90 to win.
Tim Murtagh goes for a big swipe and edges Dan Worrall behind.
Middlesex are all out and heading for defeat.
It will take something miraculous to stop Group Two leaders Gloucestershire from winning a fourth game in five this season.
Middlesex 152-9 (lead by 89) v Gloucs
What a hit!
Thilan Walallawita smacks a short one from David Payne outside off stump for a leg-side maximum!
13 come off the over.
Andersson c Brathwaite b Payne 15 (Middlesex 210 & 135-9 v Gloucs 273)
Martin Andersson goes for a full-blooded drive, gets and edge and Kraigg Brathwaite clings on to a sharp chance at slip.
David Payne has 6-42 and 11 wickets in the match!
Two games go in quick succession.
The third days of Northants against Sussex and Notts against Essex are abandoned.
That's six lost to rain now.
They're going to inspect against at Hampshire at 16:00 BST.
Middlesex 210 & 134-8 v Gloucs 273
David Payne has five wickets in this innings and 10 in the match!
First the left-arm paceman takes a smart grab off his own bowling to dismiss John Simpson for 40 and then pins James Harris lbw for nought.
Middlesex lead by just 71 with two wickets left.
Middlesex 210 & 130-6 v Gloucs 273
A flurry of boundaries - two apiece for John Simpson and Martin Andersson - has suddenly taken Middlesex's lead up to 67.
The hosts will want plenty more of that at Lord's.
Warwickshire 343 v Worcs 198-4
The umpires have inspected the pitch at Edgbaston but they're not happy with conditions so call it off.
That's a fourth washout today.
Middlesex 210 & 113-6 v Gloucs 273
It's pretty gloomy at Lord's.
Not ideal batting conditions for Middlesex pair John Simpson and Martin Andersson as they try and build on the lead of 50.
Thankfully no immediate threat of rain in the capital.
Gubbins lbw b Payne 52 (Middlesex 210 & 109-6 v Gloucs 273)
Given! Huge breakthrough for Group Two leaders Gloucestershire.
Left-arm paceman David Payne gets one to nip back in at fellow left-hander Nick Gubbins and it strikes him on the pad. Up goes the finger.
Gubbins doesn't look happy. Did it hit him outside the line?
Middlesex 210 & 106-5 v Gloucs 273
Nick Gubbins brings up his half-century at Lord's.
Just what Middlesex needed and they've still got a bit of hope in this game.
They lead by 43 with five wickets left to try and stretch that.
Leicestershire 496 v Surrey 146-0
Another one bites the dust.
Day three of Leicestershire against Surrey is abandoned without a ball being bowled.
It joins the washouts at Headingley and Old Trafford.
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Middlesex 210 & 100-5 v Gloucs 273
Nick Gubbins and John Simpson have settled things down for Middlesex with a stand worth 54 so far.
Gubbins is four short of his half-century.
What sort of target can Middlesex set their opponents? The lead is 37.
The umpires are going to take a look at Edgbaston at 14:45 BST where Warwickshire are waiting to resume against rivals Worcestershire.
And they'll inspect things in Southampton at 15:00. Hampshire are looking to avoid a heavy defeat by Somerset.
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