# 2020 Bob Willis Trophy

The 2020 Bob Willis Trophy was a first-class cricket tournament held in the 2020 English cricket season, and the inaugural edition of the Bob Willis Trophy. It was separate from the County Championship, which was not held in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. The eighteen county cricket teams were split into three regional groups of six, with the two group winners with the most points advancing to a final held at Lord's. The maximum number of overs bowled in a day was reduced from 96 to 90, and the team's first innings could be no longer than 120 overs.
After a delay due to the pandemic, counties passed a majority vote to start the season on 1 August 2020, with the final starting on 23 September 2020.
In the final round of matches, the game between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was abandoned at lunch on the first day, after a member of the Northamptonshire squad provided a positive test for COVID-19. The match was recorded as a draw, with Northamptonshire taking ten points, and Gloucestershire eight. Neither side were in contention to reach the final of the tournament.
Essex became the first team to qualify for the final of the tournament, after they beat Middlesex by nine wickets in their final match, and Derbyshire failed to gain a batting point in their match against Lancashire. Somerset became the second team to qualify for the final after they beat Worcestershire by 60 runs in their fifth match of the tournament. The final finished as a draw, with Essex winning the tournament, after securing a lead in the first innings of the match.
In October 2020, Sussex were deducted 24 points after bowler Mitchell Claydon was found guilty of a ball tampering offence. Claydon was adjudged to have applied hand sanitiser to the ball during a game against Middlesex in August. The player also received a nine-game ban.
While it was promoted as being a one-off competition, the new structure of three groups of six was retained for the 2021 County Championship.

## 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. However in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the season would be delayed until at least 28 May 2020. 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. On 24 April 2020, the ECB confirmed that no professional cricket would be played in England before 1 July 2020. As a result of the pandemic, the vast majority of clubs placed players and staff on furlough.
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. The ECB also confirmed that no domestic cricket would be played before 1 August 2020. 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. On 29 June 2020, the ECB confirmed that the domestic cricket season would begin on 1 August 2020, with the format to be agreed in early July. On 7 July 2020, the majority of counties voted to start the season on 1 August 2020.
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. 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. 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.

## Teams

The teams were placed into the following groups:
* 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. Following local COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Leicester, Leicestershire County Cricket Club's first home fixture was moved to a neutral venue.

### North Group

* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Derbyshire won by 3 wickets Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire Umpires: Neil Mallender and Paul Pollard
* 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.
* Points: Derbyshire 20, Nottinghamshire 6.
* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 6 wickets Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Neil Pratt
* 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.
* Points: Yorkshire 19, Durham 3.
* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Leicestershire won by 7 wickets New Road, Worcester Umpires: Nick Cook and Robert White
* 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
* Derbyshire won by 9 wickets Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Paul Pollard and Tom Lungley
* 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
* Yorkshire won by 90 runs Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire Umpires: James Middlebrook and Tim Robinson
* 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
* Lancashire won by an innings and 18 runs Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Neil Mallender and Neil Pratt
* Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
* Points: Lancashire 22, Durham 3.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Nick Cook and Neil Mallender
* 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.
* Points: Durham 10, Leicestershire 10.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Tim Robinson
* Lancashire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Points: Nottinghamshire 16, Lancashire 9.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Peter Hartley and James Middlebrook
* 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.
* Points: Yorkshire 15, Derbyshire 13.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Peter Hartley and James Middlebrook
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Only 2.1 overs were bowled on day 1 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 4 due to rain.
* George Burrows (Lancashire) made his first-class debut.
* Points: Yorkshire 11, Lancashire 11.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Neil Pratt and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 4 due to rain.
* Points: Derbyshire 14, Durham 12.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Nick Cook
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Nottinghamshire 14, Leicestershire 11.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by 178 runs Aigburth Cricket Ground, Liverpool Umpires: Steve O'Shaughnessy and Graham Lloyd
* Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat.
* George Lavelle and Jack Morley (Lancashire) both made their first-class debuts.
* Points: Lancashire 20, Derbyshire 3.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire Umpires: Nick Cook and Ian Ramage
* Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
* Points: Nottinghamshire 16, Durham 13.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 10 wickets Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: James Middlebrook and Peter Hartley
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Points: Yorkshire 21, Leicestershire 3.

### Central Group

* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Worcestershire won by 8 wickets Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Jeremy Lloyds and Mark Newell
* 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
* Somerset won by 289 runs County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Russell Warren
* 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.
* Points: Somerset 21, Glamorgan 3.
* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Tim Robinson
* 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
* Gloucestershire won by 78 runs Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Russell Warren
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Gloucestershire 20, Warwickshire 4.
* 8–11 August 2020 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 167 runs County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Rob Bailey and Nick Cook
* Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
* Craig Overton (Somerset) took his 300th first-class wicket.
* Points: Somerset 19, Northamptonshire 3.
* 8–11 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn New Road, Worcester Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Jeremy Lloyds
* 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).
* Points: Worcestershire 15, Glamorgan 12.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Tom Lungley and Russell Warren
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Jamie Overton (Somerset) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* Points: Somerset 16, Warwickshire 11.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Jeff Evans
* 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
* Worcestershire won by 78 runs County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Rob Bailey and Robert White
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Worcestershire 20, Northamptonshire 4.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Northamptonshire won by 6 wickets County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Chris Watts and Russell Warren
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Callum Taylor (Glamorgan) made his first-class debut.
* Callum Taylor became the fourth batsman for Glamorgan to score a century on debut in a first-class match.
* Marchant de Lange scored the fastest century by a batsman for Glamorgan in first-class cricket, reaching the milestone in 62 balls.
* Points: Northamptonshire 22, Glamorgan 5.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 314 runs County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Paul Baldwin
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Somerset 20, Gloucestershire 3.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn New Road, Worcester Umpires: Jeremy Lloyds and Rob Bailey
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 4 due to rain.
* Points: Worcestershire 13, Warwickshire 13.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 60 runs New Road, Worcester Umpires: Rob Bailey and Neil Mallender
* Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
* Points: Somerset 21, Worcestershire 4.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Jeff Evans and Robert White
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Glamorgan 12, Warwickshire 11.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Jeremy Lloyds and Ian Blackwell
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* The match was called off after lunch on day 1 due to a COVID-19 related issue.
* Harry Gouldstone (Northamptonshire) made his first-class debut.
* Points: Northamptonshire 10, Gloucestershire 8.

### South Group

* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 190 runs The Oval, London Umpires: Rob Bailey and Nigel Llong
* 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.
* Points: Middlesex 22, Surrey 3.
* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Sussex won by 94 runs County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Ian Gould and Billy Taylor
* 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.
* Keith Barker (Hampshire) took his 400th first-class wicket.
* Points: Sussex 19, Hampshire 3.
* 1–4 August 2020 Scorecard
* Essex won by 2 wickets County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Neil Bainton and Ben Debenham
* 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
* Essex won by 169 runs County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Ben Debenham and Chris Watts
* 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
* Kent won by an innings and 25 runs St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Nigel Llong and Mark Newell
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Jordan Cox (Kent) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning (Kent) both scored their maiden double centuries in first-class cricket.
* 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).
* Points: Kent 24, Sussex 3.
* 8–11 August 2020 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 3 wickets Brunton Memorial Ground, Radlett Umpires: Neil Bainton and Robert White
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Points: Hampshire 21, Middlesex 5.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Neil Bainton and Nigel Llong
* 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
* Essex won by 3 wickets County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Ian Gould and Mark Newell
* Essex won the toss and elected to field.
* George Garton (Sussex) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* Points: Essex 19, Sussex 3.
* 15–18 August 2020 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by an innings and 52 runs Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, Arundel Umpires: Ben Debenham and Billy Taylor
* 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.
* James Fuller (Hampshire) took a hat-trick during Surrey's second innings.
* Points: Hampshire 21, Surrey 3.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, Arundel Umpires: Billy Taylor and Ian Gould
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on days 1 and 4 due to rain.
* Alastair Cook (Essex) scored his 24,000th run in first-class cricket.
* Points: Hampshire 9, Essex 9.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 5 wickets Brunton Memorial Ground, Radlett Umpires: Tim Robinson and Ben Debenham
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Blake Cullen (Middlesex) and Will Sheffield (Sussex) both made their first-class debuts.
* Points: Middlesex 20, Sussex 5.
* 22–25 August 2020 Scorecard
* Kent won by 17 runs The Oval, London Umpires: Neil Bainton and Nigel Llong
* Surrey won the toss and elected to field.
* Nathan Gilchrist (Kent) made his first-class debut.
* Points: Kent 21, Surrey 5.
* Kent were deducted one point for a slow over-rate.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Essex won by 9 wickets County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Russell Warren and Paul Pollard
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Points: Essex 20, Middlesex 3.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Kent won by 7 wickets St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Nigel Llong and Billy Taylor
* Kent won the toss and elected to field.
* Scott Currie (Hampshire) made his first-class debut.
* Points: Kent 19, Hampshire 3.
* 6–9 September 2020 Scorecard
* Surrey won by 6 wickets The Oval, London Umpires: Ben Debenham and Neil Bainton
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* James Coles (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* Points: Surrey 22, Sussex 6.

## 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 | PCF | Pts |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 87 |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 74 |
| Lancashire | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| Durham | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 41 |

### Central Group

| Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts |
| Somerset (Q) | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 74 |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
| Northamptonshire | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 43 |

### South Group

| Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts |
| Essex (Q) | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 90 |
| Kent | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 82 |
| Middlesex | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| Hampshire | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 57 |
| Surrey | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Sussex | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 24 | 0 | 12 |
* ↑ Kent were deducted 1 point for a slow over rate against Surrey.
* ↑ Sussex were deducted 24 points for ball tampering against Middlesex.

## Final

* 23–27 September 2020 Scorecard
* Match drawn Lord's, London Umpires: Russell Warren and Rob Bailey
* Essex won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 44 overs were bowled on day 1 due to rain.
* Essex won the Bob Willis Trophy on first innings lead.