Bob Willis Trophy Digest: All the action from day one of the final round of group games

The Cricketer rounds-up all the action from the first day of the final round of group matches in the Bob Willis Trophy

• Gloucestershire-Northamptonshire Bob Willis Trophy match abandoned due to positive Covid-19 test

NORTH GROUP

Aigburth (first day of four): Lancashire 206-8 v Derbyshire

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Lancashire's Josh Bohannon saved his side's blushes at autumnal Aigburth with a brilliant 94 as the Red Rose made heavy work of reaching 206-8 on the first day of their Bob Willis Trophy clash with Derbyshire. 

Bolton-born Bohannon batted for just shy of 300 minutes before departing in the 90s for his second consecutive game in Liverpool, following last season's unbeaten 98, but the 23-year-old could be proud of his efforts considering his dominance of a disappointing scorecard for the hosts.

In truth Bohannon's belligerence was much need by the hosts on a day when runs were hard to come by - partly due to the accuracy of Derbyshire's bowlers and partly due to a slow outfield saturated by overnight rain. 

Trent Bridge (first day of four): Nottinghamshire v Durham 275-8

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A century partnership between Gareth Harte and Stuart Poynter was the highlight for Durham on the opening day of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Harte made 72 from 143 deliveries, with 10 fours, and Poynter scored 50 as the visitors reached 275 for eight after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Matt Carter took three for 43 for the hosts, with Zak Chappell returning figures of three for 75.

Headingley (first day of four): Yorkshire 36-2 v Leicestershire 124

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Ben Coad claimed a superb five for 18 as Leicestershire were bowled out for 124 before tea during a seamer-friendly opening day of the Bob Willis Trophy clash at Emerald Headingley.

The 26-year-old excelled with the new ball and returned after lunch for further success as Yorkshire made an encouraging start to their bid for a victory which could see them advance to the five-day Lord’s final later this month.

They realistically need to win to topple leaders Derbyshire and finish top of the North Group. Then, they must finish as one of the two best group winners from the North, South and Central.

^{Yet another five-wicket haul for Darren Stevens}

CENTRAL GROUP

Sophia Gardens (first day of four): Glamorgan 4-1 v Warwickshire 186

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Ian Bell made a half century in his final red-ball match for Warwickshire, but he could not stop his side from being bowled out for 186 by Glamorgan.

Plenty of batsmen got starts but Dan Mousley was the only other batsman to pass 19 for the visitors.

Glamorgan faced eight overs in the evening, with Nick Selman falling to Liam Norwell, with Bell taking the catch.

New Road (first day of four): Worcestershire 14-0 v Somerset 251

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Somerset skipper Tom Abell continued his fine form in the Bob Willis Trophy by top-scoring on the opening day of a see-saw crucial Central Group clash with Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road.

Abell showed his class in striking 59 to help ensure his side posted a challenging total on a green-tinged pitch offering encouragement to the seamers.

It followed on from his 119 against Glamorgan and an unbeaten 101 versus Gloucestershire earlier in the competition as Somerset totalled 251 all out in 83.1 overs.

Worcestershire continued to probe away, despite the absence of paceman Josh Tongue with a back spasm for the second half of the day, with Dillon Pennington and Ed Barnard picking up three wickets.

^{Jamie Overton made his red-ball debut for Surrey}

SOUTH GROUP

Chelmsford (first day of four): Essex 108-5 v Middlesex 138

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Sam Cook returned season-best figures as Essex’s Bob Willis Trophy final hopes remained on track despite 15 wickets falling on day one at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.

Fast bowler Cook celebrated analysis of 4-27 as he formed a formidable trident with new ball partner Jamie Porter (3-55) and spinner Simon Harmer (3-34) as Middlesex were dashed out for 138 in 53.3 overs.

But in reply, Tim Murtagh and James Harris both took two wickets to leave reigning county champions Essex 108 for five, despite Paul Walter’s 43.

Canterbury (first day of four): Kent 21-2 v Hampshire 191

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Kent allrounder Darren Stevens took his third five-wicket haul of the summer and the 29th of an illustrious career as Hampshire succumbed for 191 inside 75 overs on the opening day of their Willis Trophy south group clash in Canterbury.

The 44-year-old bowled 27 overs in four separate stints to finish with a season’s best five for 37. The veteran, making his fifth red-ball appearance of a shortened campaign, has now taken 25 wickets at the frugal average of 16.68 apiece.

In the 13 overs through to the close, Kent lost both their openers in fast-fading light.  Jordan Cox was caught at slip off teenager Scott Currie and Daniel Bell-Drummond had his off stump trimmed by Ian Holland as the hosts went in at stumps on 21 for two to trail by 170 going into day two.

Kia Oval (first day of four): Surrey v Sussex 239-3

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Tom Haines negotiated both a fiery second spell from Jamie Overton and a verbal spat with left-arm spinner Dan Moriarty to reach a superb 105 not out in Sussex’s first innings 239 for 3 against Surrey at the Kia Oval.

It was the 21-year-old Haines’ second first-class hundred and he featured in century stands with both Aaron Thomason and Delray Rawlins as Sussex made an impressive start to the final round of Bob Willis Trophy fixtures after winning the toss and opting for first use of a slow-paced pitch.

Rawlins made a punchy 65 from 88 balls, launching both Moriarty and Scott Borthwick’s leg spin for massive straight sixes, while Thomason’s nuggety 49 in an unfamiliar opening role was another important contribution to the Sussex cause.

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