It looks like Middlesex may have lost five overs from the 13 that were left in the game before rain made an unwelcome interruption.

To score 74 from eight means they will have to achieve a rate of 9.25 per over. It's a tall order, to put it mildly.

Just a quick reminder. Middlesex need another 74 to win. Nick Gubbins is 106 not out and Peter Handscomb has 69. Play is scheduled to re-start at 18:15.

They are coming back out. How many overs have Middlesex lost?

Rain hold-up at The Ovalpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

17:58 BST 23 May 2021

Surrey 190 & 259-2 dec v Middlesex 160 & 216-2

The field is widespread as Rikki Clarke rumbles in for a new over.

There are no boundaries but seven from the over is a healthy return for Middlesex.

The match is finely poised and......they're coming off.

Unlike limited-overs games, you don't get a revised target if overs are lost, so this may put the win out of Middlesex's reach.

The BBC radio commentators are very concerned about the weather.

Let's hope it stays away long enough for this game to be completed.

Middlesex need 81 from 14 - that's still 5.8 an over.

for Nick Gubbinspublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

17:45 BST 23 May 2021

Surrey 190 & 259-2 dec v Middlesex 160 & 207-2

Nick Gubbins flashes Kemar Roach for four, but there's an anxious moment as he goes for a single to reach three figures and Reece Topley's throw is a direct hit. The decision is referred to the TV umpire, but he's in - and that's the eighth first-class century of his career. It's taken him 128 balls.

Gubbins goes aerialpublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

17:39 BST 23 May 2021

Surrey 190 & 259-2 dec v Middlesex 160 & 202-2

Great shot by Nick Gubbins, who hoists Amar Virdi over long-on for the first six of his innings. He follows it with a square cut to the boundary to end an over which has cost Surrey 15 runs and bring up a 150 partnership with Peter Handscomb.

Middlesex need 88 from 16. We're so excited, and we just can't hide it.....

ALL OVER!

Notts have taken 14 wickets on the final day to beat Worcestershire!

Dane Paterson finishes the game by removing Joe Leach lbw.

That's an extraordinary victory by the Group One leaders with so much time taken out of the game.

Notts go nine points clear of Essex at the top of the table.

A no-ball and a wide in Rikki Clarke's latest over - Surrey can't afford to be giving free runs away at this stage.

Nick Gubbins advances to 85 not out with a boundary and 10 have come from the over. Middlesex will be very happy with that one.

The tension increases.

Another boundaryless over would be bad news for Middlesex, but from the fifth ball bowled by Amar Virdi, Nick Gubbins picks up four runs smeared through the leg-side. Eighteen overs to go - another 113 needed.

Gubbins has 80 and Peter Handscomb is on 59.

Decent over by Rikki Clarke, restricting Middlesex to three singles.

Seems odd to be talking of Surrey 'restricting' Middlesex as they surely must have expected to be pressing for victory in the fourth innings.

If they can break the Gubbins/Handscomb partnership, maybe they still can.

Might be time for Luke Fletcher to have another bowl to try and finish this game.

10 wickets in the match so far for the paceman.

Dane Paterson continues for the moment...

The longer these two can stay together, the more you have to fancy Middlesex's chances. Nick Gubbins and Peter Handscomb aren't tempted to try anything too spectacular off Amar Virdi, but five from the over keeps things ticking over.

They need 123 from 20 - that wouldn't be too daunting a target in a T20 match.

It's a blockathon for Worcestershire batsmen Joe Leach and Josh Tongue now.

They'll be praying the forecast rain arrives quickly.

Image source, Getty Images

There's the century partnership and there's the 150 up as Middlesex milk Amar Virdi for five singles in his latest over. They need another 136 from 22 overs - 6.18 is the required rate.

for Peter Handscombpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

17:05 BST 23 May 2021

Surrey 190 & 259-2 dec v Middlesex 160 & 145-2

Middlesex need a couple of big overs to bring the run rate down a bit.

That's a good start to the latest as Peter Handscomb square cuts Kemar Roach for four - and he ends it with a boundary through mid-wicket to bring up a 67-ball fifty.

The Australian's partnership with Nick Gubbins is now worth 98.

Here, at long last, is Amar Virdi.

His first over costs six runs, including a fine sweep for four by Nick Gubbins, who is now 56 not out.

Middlesex need 157 from 26 overs - that's 6.04 per over, but good luck trying to call your partner through for 0.4 of a run.