Derbyshire 283 and 33 for 1 lead Middlesex 298 (du Plooy 105, De Caires 46, Cracknell 43, Aitchison 3-35) by 18 runs

Caleb Jewell reached 1,000 County Championship runs for the season on a rain-ravaged third day of Derbyshire's clash with hosts Middlesex at Lord's.

Only 10 overs were possible, but it proved sufficient time for the Tasmanian left-hander to reach the landmark with a glance tickled to the fine-leg fence.

The 28-year-old, who reached his 1,000 in what was his 22nd innings for the county, also became the only wicket to fall, as Derbyshire closed on 33 for 1, bowled by a beauty from Ryan Higgins which flattened the off stump.

The further frustration for Jewell was he hadn't reached the pavilion steps before the second rain interruption of the morning drove the players off for an early lunch.

Only three more overs were bowled, during which Luis Reece survived two huge lbw shouts from Toby Roland-Jones before rain prevented any further play.

Both sides are desperate for a win to keep any pressure on second placed Glamorgan in the Division Two promotion race, but it will take creative collaboration between the respective captains to contrive a positive result on the final day.