JACK BUTLER: After a reworked summer of first-class action, The Cricketer has all the information you need ahead of the Bob Willis Trophy final between Somerset and Essex at Lord’s
Between September 23 and September 27, Central Group winners Somerset face Essex, who finished on top in the South Group, in a one-off five-day red-ball match to crown the champions of the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy.
Yorkshire topped the North Group but miss out on the final, with only the two sides who claimed the most points making it to the final.
Lord’s is hosting the Bob Willis Trophy final – the only professional red-ball match being staged at the Home of Cricket this year. Radlett hosted Middlesex’s home games during the group stage.
Last year both Somerset and Essex met in what was effectively a title decider at Taunton. Somerset narrowly missed out as Essex ground their way to a dramatic draw and another County Championship title in a curious game, impacted by poor weather and a pitch that spun sharply from the outset.
Jack Leach, who is back in action for Somerset after spending most of the summer in England's bio-bubble, took 5 for 32.
Essex have won the title twice over the past three years, while Somerset have finished second in Division One in three of the past four seasons.
Alastair Cook has been central to Essex's batting efforts
Both Essex and Somerset made it to Lords relatively comfortably, finishing with four wins and a draw to dominate their respective groups.
Somerset were unlucky to not finish with a 100 per cent record; it was only the weather – and a conservative declaration – that left them two wickets short of victory as they drew with Warwickshire.
On their way to Lords, four Somerset batsmen have hit centuries in red-ball cricket this summer: hundreds from wicketkeeper Steve Davies and 22-year-old batsman George Bartlett accompany Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell, who have reached three figures on two occasions this season.
Elsewhere, Somerset's bowlers have sparkled with several brutal spells; they skittled Northamptonshire for 67 and Gloucestershire for 76 and 70.
The Taunton Four: Somerset's potent pace attack in their own words
They took 15 bowling points in their five group stage matches as Worcestershire were the only side to reach 200 in an innings against them – the single batting point conceded by a seam attack featuring Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Lewis Gregory and Jack Brooks.
For Essex, low-scoring games have been a feature of their run to Lords. The side skippered by Tom Westley are yet to post a score over 300 but have consistently done enough with the bat to leave Simon Harmer, Jamie Porter and Sam Cook a score to defend.
A first innings deficit of 89 runs against Kent turned into a two-wicket victory and Sussex's first-innings lead of 54 became a three-wicket win. They are masters of getting over the line in red-ball cricket and have lost just five red-ball games in the last three years.
Tom Abell will be desperate to lead Somerset to red-ball silverware
Somerset will be without Tom Banton due to his involvement in the Indian Premier League at Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he would not have been certain to feature, given the form of the rest of their batting line-up in the Bob Willis Trophy.
Born and bred in Somerset, Abell has enjoyed a terrific campaign – 352 runs at an average of 44 represents a healthy return for the 26-year-old.
Expect the Somerset skipper, who was left out of England's 55-man training squad at the start of the summer after spending the winter with England Lions, to show what he can do at Lord’s.
Elsewhere, Craig Overton, who has taken 28 wickets at 10.71, including two five-wicket hauls and a best of 5 for 26, has been accompanied by the equally impressive Josh Davey, who has 24 wickets. The two seamers will fancy their chances against an Essex middle order that has struggled for consistency this year.
Essex, though, have Simon Harmer. The South African off-spinner is the leading Bob Willis Trophy wicket-taker with 34 at 13.70 apiece.
Having bowled over 205 overs in this year's competition at an economy of 2.27, Harmer has helped Essex frequently restrict teams to below-par totals. Likewise, Jamie Porter has been crucial with the new ball, picking up 21 wickets.
With the bat, last year's county champions have been heavily reliant on former England captain Alastair Cook, who has scored 360 runs at an average of 45.
Essex will be hoping that Dan Lawrence, who has returned from a summer of running drinks in the Test bio-bubble, can provide a major contribution.
For Tom Westley, history repeating itself will do just fine
Potential for rain on the first two days, but this should make way for sunny spells on the final three days of action. Hopefully, the addition of a fifth day removes the likelihood of a drawn game.
If the final were to be drawn, there could still be a winner. As long as there are two fully-completed first innings, the team with the higher first innings total would win. If that is not the case, the trophy will be shared.
The final will not be broadcast on television; however, it will be streamed in full on Sky Sports Cricket’s YouTube channel, the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer from Wednesday at 10am.
The Sky Sports stream will feature a commentary team, which will include Michael Atherton.
Ball-by ball radio coverage of all five days will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Local commentary will also be provided by BBC Essex and BBC Radio Somerset.
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