Bob Willis Trophy 2020 Round 3: Rain Sets Up Dramatic Finales In County Championship

August 20, 2020

George Garton starred in the third round of the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 — HOVE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: George Garton of Sussex celebrates with team mates after dismissing Dan Lawrence of Essex during Day 4 of the Bob Willis Trophy match between Sussex and Essex at The 1st Central County Ground on August 18, 2020 in Hove, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Bob Willis Trophy 2020 Round 3 Summary And Results

The inclement weather may have ruined the second Test between England and Pakistan, but it made for a host of dramatic final days in the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 round 3. Fixtures across the country became entertaining as counties went in search of unlikely victories.

With two days of misery whilst the whole country was hit with torrential but infrequent downpours. The skies cleared allowing teams to attempt to negotiate their way to a positive outcome. This, resulting in some less than impressive declaration bowling, forfeited innings, and some rapid run chases.

So, what were the results in the County Championship?

Bob Willis Trophy 2020 – South Group

James Fuller picked up a hat-trick in round 3 of the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 — ARUNDEL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: James Fuller of Hampshire celebrates the wicket of Morne Morkel of Surrey and his hat-trick with Felix Organ during Day 4 of The Bob Willis Trophy match between Hampshire and Surrey at Arundel Cricket Club on August 18, 2020 in Arundel, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

The pick of the South Group action came at Arundel Castle as James Fuller took the first Bob Willis Trophy hat-trick. Thereby, helping Hampshire to a sensational innings victory over Surrey. Morne Morkel, the third batsman to fall to James Fuller.

Hampshire’s first innings effort of 298 proved to be satisfactory as they surpassed Surrey’s total of 172. Ian Holland the pick of the Hampshire bowlers with his 6-60.

Visitors Surrey were humiliated on the final day as they were bundled out for just 72 in their second innings. Only Jason Roy and Jamie Smith reaching double figures as they lost by an innings and 52 runs.

A Thriller In Hove?

Kent and Middlesex couldn’t force a result in their match as Daniel Bell-Drummond and Marcus O’Riordan batted out the remaining overs of the match. This, despite having earlier turned to bowling in an attempt to speed up the match.

A first-innings 99 from Middlesex’s Robbie White the standout performance from the drawn match.

HOVE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Dan Lawrence of Essex cuts for 4 during Day 4 of the Bob Willis Trophy match between Sussex and Essex at The 1st Central County Ground on August 18, 2020 in Hove, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

It was a thriller at Hove between Sussex and Essex as the visitors crept home by three wickets with time running out in the day. Dan Lawrence’s knock of 60 pivotal to the Essex run chase, as Sussex’s George Garton four wickets tried in vain to stop the batters getting home.

Garton finishing the match with nine wickets. An impressive return in a losing effort for the 23-year-old left-arm seamer.

Bob Willis Trophy 2020 – North Group

Lancashire saved their best till last as their openers found form just at the right time to halt Nottinghamshire in their tracks. After being bowled out for 173 earlier on in the day, Notts’ would have been confident of inflicted an innings defeat on the Red Rose county.

However, 69 not out from wicketkeeper Alex Davies and an unbeaten 37 from Keaton Jennings left Lancs 120-0 at the close of play. This, still some way short of Notts’ mammoth first-innings effort of 472. Ben Slater and Ben Duckett both with centuries for the Trent Bridge county, albeit in a drawn match.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Colin Ackermann of Leicestershire touches elbows with Paul Coughlin of Durham after the match is ended in a draw following poor weather during day four of the Bob Willis Trophy between Leicestershire and Durham at the Fischer County Ground on August 18, 2020 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Dawid Malan Smashes Double Century

Credit should be given to both Leicestershire and Durham as they tried their hardest to force a result on the final day. Both teams forgetting a batting innings as Leicestershire tried to chase down Durham’s 291-8 declared.

The hosts finished 84 runs short for the loss of just three wickets. Sam Evans with 85 and captain Colin Ackerman with 61 the pick of the batting efforts from the Foxes.

Dawid Malan scored a double century in the third round of the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 — LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: A general view inside the stadium of the scoreboard displaying the century of Dawid Malan of Yorkshire during day 1 of the Bob Willis Trophy match between Yorkshire and Derbyshire at Emerald Headingley Stadium on August 15, 2020 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

There was no such generosity at Headingley as Yorkshire and Derbyshire played out another drawn match. Dawid Malan’s epic 219 lead the White Rose county to 400-6 declared.

In response, Derbyshire reached 300-7 with Matt Critchley making 63 before everybody settled for a draw. For Malan, his form has at least earned him a recall to England’s T20 squad.

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Bob Willis Trophy 2020 -Central Group

CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 17: Ryan Higgins of Gloucestershire hits to the legside off the bowling of Kieran Bull as Glamorgan wicketkeeper Chris Cooke looks on during day three of the Bob Willis Trophy Central group match between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire at Sophia Gardens on August 17, 2020 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Glamorgan looked deep in trouble on the final day at one stage as they slipped to 138-8, a lead of 70 with plenty of time remaining in the day. However, guided by captain Chris Cooke, the Welsh county managed to bat themselves to safety.

Number 10 batsman Timm van der Gugten bravely hung around with his skipper, batting for 103 balls for his 30 not out. As the overs ticked by the captains agreed on a draw a the chase edged towards 15 an over. A valiant effort from Glamorgan who ended on 197-8.

Also, Read – The debate between Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes.

For Worcestershire it was final day joy as Tom Fell’s century set up their victory. They managed to get over the line by 78 runs as Northamptonshire were dismissed for 184.

Northants showed resilience and at one stage might have fancied their chances with Adam Rossington going well. But when he fell to Worcester captain Joe Leach the writing was on the wall and the visitors took the points.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Blessing Muzarabani of Northamptonshire avoids the ball during day 4 of the Bob Willis Trophy match between Northamptonshire and Worcestershire at The County Ground on August 18, 2020 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Somerset Frustrated, Warwickshire Eke Out Draw

Warwickshire were left clinging on for dear life at Edgbaston whilst Somerset were left frustrated as somehow their match ended in a draw. After being bowled out for 121 in their first innings the hosts’ were always behind in the match.

Somerset piled on the misery as they amassed 413-9 declared with both Steve Davies and Jamie Overton making centuries. Overton’s all the more impressive, coming from number 10 in the order.

However, as Somerset went in search of the 10 wickets required on the final day to pick up a deserved win, more rain halted the progress. As a result, Warwickshire were reprieved as they finished on 140-8. Captain Will Rhodes’ 41 from 174 deliveries taking up most of the day. He ended up earning his side a share of the points.

All the counties will hope for better weather as the Bob Willis Trophy action gets back underway on Saturday. Round 3 of the Bob Willis Trophy 2020 has proved entertaining. Fans will hope that round 4 can of the County Championship will be similar.

England Squad For T20 Series Versus Pakistan

Elsewhere, England have named their 14 man squad for the T20 series against Pakistan.

Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tom Banton, Sam Billings (wk), Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey.

Pakistan and England will play a three match T20 series. The series starts on the 28th of August 2020. All three T20I’s are at Emirates Old Trafford, in Manchester. Both teams will be hoping to win the series handsomely. This series should provide good practice for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

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