Bob Willis Trophy
The Bob Willis Trophy is a tournament held in the 2020 English cricket season. It is a one-off, first-class cricket tournament that is separate from the County Championship, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[1] The eighteen county cricket teams have been split into three groups of six,[2] with the two group winners with the most points advancing to a final held at Lord's.[3] The maximum number of overs bowled in a day was reduced from 96 to 90,[1] and the team's first innings could be no longer than 120 overs.[3]
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| Administrator(s) | England and Wales Cricket Board |
|---|---|
| Cricket format | First-class cricket (4 days) |
| Tournament format(s) | League system |
| Participants | 18 |
After a delay due to the pandemic, counties passed a majority vote to start the season on 1 August 2020,[4] with the final scheduled to start on 23 September 2020.[5] The tournament was named the Bob Willis Trophy[6] in honour of Bob Willis, who died in December 2019.[7]
Background
The first round of matches in the County Championship were originally scheduled to start on 12 April, with the final round of matches finishing on 25 September.[8][9][10] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced in March 2020 that the season would be delayed until at least 28 May 2020.[11][12] The following month, Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC) suggested using facilities in the United Arab Emirates between October and January as a possible solution to playing some fixtures.[13] On 24 April 2020, the ECB confirmed that no professional cricket would be played in England before 1 July 2020.[14][15] As a result of the pandemic, the vast majority of clubs placed players and staff on furlough.[16]
In late May 2020, the ECB looked at the idea of starting the County Championship in August, split into three groups of six teams, with a final at Lord's.[17] The ECB also confirmed that no domestic cricket would be played before 1 August 2020.[18][19] In June 2020, some clubs raised concerns about the logistics of travelling and the financial viability of playing first-class cricket, with 50-over matches being a more realistic possibility.[20] On 29 June 2020, the ECB confirmed that the domestic cricket season would begin on 1 August 2020,[21] with the format to be agreed in early July.[22] On 7 July 2020, the majority of counties voted to start the season on 1 August 2020.[23]
On 26 July 2020, a crowd of 1,000 spectators were allowed to watch a test event at The Oval in London, the first time people had been to see a live cricket match since the start of the pandemic.[24] Following the success of the trial, a pilot scheme would have allowed up to 2,500 fans to attend the first two days of play of Surrey and Warwickshire's first matches.[25][26] However, on 31 July 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced crowds would not be allowed to attend sporting events following an increase in COVID-19 infection rates.[27]
Teams
The teams were placed into the following groups:[28][29]
- North Group: Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire
- Central Group: Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Worcestershire
- South Group: Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex
Fixtures
The fixtures for the tournament were announced on 24 July 2020.[30][31] Following local COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Leicester, Leicestershire County Cricket Club's first home fixture was moved to a neutral venue.[32][33]
North Group
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Ben Aitchison (Derbyshire) made his first-class debut.
- This was Derbyshire's highest successful run-chase against another county team.[34]
- Points: Derbyshire 20, Nottinghamshire 6.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
- Jack Shutt (Yorkshire) made his first-class debut.
- Chris Rushworth (Durham) took his 500th first-class wicket.[35]
- Points: Yorkshire 19, Durham 3.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat.
- George Balderson, Tom Hartley and Ed Moulton (Lancashire) all made their first-class debuts.
- Points: Leicestershire 22, Lancashire 4.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
- Ed Barnes (Derbyshire) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Derbyshire 24, Leicestershire 3.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
- Dom Leech (Yorkshire) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Yorkshire 21, Nottinghamshire 7.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Lancashire 22, Durham 3.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Leicestershire won the toss and elected to field.
- After rain washed out most of the match, both teams agreed to forfeit an innings in an attempt to produce a result.[36]
- Points: Durham 10, Leicestershire 10.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Lancashire won the toss and elected to field.
- No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
- Points: Lancashire 16, Nottinghamshire 9.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Only 1 over was bowled on day 2 due to rain.
- George Hill (Yorkshire) made his first-class debut.
- Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket.[37]
- Points: Yorkshire 15, Derbyshire 13.
22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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Central Group
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
- Tom Price (Gloucestershire) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Worcestershire 22, Gloucestershire 3.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
- Tom Lammonby (Somerset) made his first-class debut.
- Ben Green replaced George Bartlett for Somerset on day 3 as a concussion substitute.[38]
- Points: Somerset 21, Glamorgan 3.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Jack White (Northamptonshire) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Warwickshire 14, Northamptonshire 10.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Points: Gloucestershire 20, Warwickshire 4.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
- Craig Overton (Somerset) took his 300th first-class wicket.[39]
- Points: Somerset 19, Northamptonshire 3.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
- Jake Libby and Brett D'Oliveira set a new partnership record for any wicket for Worcestershire (318 runs).[40]
- Points: Worcestershire 15, Glamorgan 12.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Somerset 16, Warwickshire 11.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
- No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
- Points: Glamorgan 11, Gloucestershire 11.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Points: Worcestershire 20, Northamptonshire 4.
22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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22–25 August 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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6–9 September 2020 Scorecard |
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South Group
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
- Thilan Walallawita (Middlesex) and Dan Moriarty (Surrey) both made their first-class debuts.
- Dan Moriarty (Surrey) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.[41]
- Points: Middlesex 22, Surrey 3.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
- Jack Carson, Henry Crocombe (Sussex) and Ajeet Dale (Hampshire) all made their first-class debuts.
- Mitch Claydon (Sussex) took his 300th first-class wicket.[42]
- Keith Barker (Hampshire) took his 400th first-class wicket.[43]
- Points: Sussex 19, Hampshire 3.
1–4 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Kent won the toss and elected to bat.
- Feroze Khushi (Essex) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Essex 21, Kent 7.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
- Gus Atkinson (Surrey) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Essex 21, Surrey 3.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
- Jordan Cox (Kent) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.[44]
- Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning (Kent) both scored their maiden double centuries in first-class cricket.[45]
- Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning also set a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket for Kent in a first-class match (423 runs).[46]
- Points: Kent 24, Sussex 3.
8–11 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
- Points: Hampshire 21, Middlesex 5.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Kent won the toss and elected to field.
- Jack Davies (Middlesex) made his first-class debut.
- Points: Middlesex 13, Kent 11.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Essex won the toss and elected to field.
- George Garton (Sussex) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.[47]
- Points: Essex 19, Sussex 3.
15–18 August 2020 Scorecard |
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- Surrey won the toss and elected to bat.
- Tom Scriven (Hampshire) made his first-class debut.
- Ian Holland (Hampshire) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.[48]
- James Fuller (Hampshire) took a hat-trick during Surrey's second innings.[49]
- Points: Hampshire 21, Surrey 3.
Final
23–26 September 2020 |
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Standings
Teams receive 16 points for a win and 8 for a draw or tie. Bonus points (a maximum of 5 batting points and 3 bowling points) may be scored during the first 110 overs of each team's first innings.
North Group
Team |
Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 57 |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 55 |
| Lancashire | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 35 |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 35 |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 29 |
| Durham | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
- As of 11 August 2020
Central Group
Team |
Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 57 |
| Somerset | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 56 |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 29 |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 26 |
| Northants | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
- As of 18 August 2020
References
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- "Bob Willis Trophy fixtures announced". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "County cricket's return: Bob Willis Trophy explainer". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
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- "T20 Blast knockouts to be staged in October to boost chance of fans attending". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- "All First-Class Counties committed to playing same red-ball and white-ball competitions". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Shortened red-ball competition named after ex-England captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- "ECB announce domestic fixtures for 2020". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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- "Championship and Hundred take centre stage in 2020 fixture list". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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- "Abu Dhabi to offer ECB use of facilities in order to extend English season". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- "ECB announces further delay to the professional cricket season". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- "Season delayed until July as England-West Indies postponed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
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- "Counties wait for ECB approval on August restart plan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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- "Update on return to play for men's and women's domestic cricket". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
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- "Cricket comes home as spectators make cautious return to Kia Oval". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- "Crowd pilot schemes at The Oval & Edgbaston for Bob Willis Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- "Fans allowed to attend first-class cricket for first time since March as pilot scheme extended". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- "County pilots for return of crowds cancelled by UK government". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
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- "Bob Willis Trophy fixtures 2020: Full schedule, dates, matches". The Cricketer. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: County fixtures - Essex start against Kent, Surrey meet Middlesex". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "Lancashire and Leicestershire to play Bob Willis Trophy match in Worcester". The Cricketer. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Lancashire v Leicestershire to be played New Road". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "Fynn Hudson-Prentice's 91* guides Derbyshire to record 365 run-chase". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Durham v Yorkshire CCC latest - Matthew Fisher and Dawid Malan push Yorkshire towards victory". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Durham and Leicestershire Forfeit An Innings Each To Set Up A Result". NDTV. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Latest News and Score Updates from Round 3 Day 3: August 15th-18th". Cricket World. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Somerset poised for win over Glamorgan". BBC Sport. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: England returnees fall cheaply on opening day of second round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- "Glamorgan steady in response to record Libby-D'Oliveira stand". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- "Surrey spin a bright point amid the disappointment of defeat". The Cricketer. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Sussex v Hampshire - Day 1 Bob Willis Trophy". Cricket World. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Sussex seal three-day win over Hampshire at Hove". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Jordan Cox, Jack Leach make hay as twin tons put Kent on top". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- "Darren Stevens skewers Sussex after Jordan Cox, Jack Leaning run-bonanza". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: Kent beat Sussex after Cox & Leaning share record stand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- "George Garton five-for turns game for Sussex against Essex". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- "Ian Holland claims six-wicket haul before rain intervenes at Arundel". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- "Bob Willis Trophy: James Fuller takes hat-trick as Hampshire thump Surrey". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- Bob Willis Trophy Table, BBC Sport.
- Bob Willis Trophy 2020, CricInfo.
- Bob Willis Trophy Tables, England and Wales Cricket Board.