Bob Willis Trophy schedule set for July 24 release

The ECB's makeshift red-ball competition will be split into three regional groups of six teams, with each side playing five matches

The fixture list for the Bob Willis Trophy is set to be released on Friday, July 24.

The ECB's makeshift red-ball competition will be split into three regional groups of six teams, with each side playing five matches.

The campaign will run for four weeks between August 1 and August 27, prior to the T20 Blast. A showpiece final is expected to take place in late September and early October.

The Blast fixture list will not be released at the same time, as schedulers continue to work on the logistics of the event.

It has been reported that the ECB and Sky Sports are in negotiations over the screening of a Blast match every day during the campaign.

County matches are unlikely to be able to entertain crowds this season, despite the government using two friendly warm-up fixtures as pilots for the return of fans.

The match between Surrey and Middlesex at The Oval on Sunday and Monday will be attended by a small number of members, as officials test out social distancing regulations at venues across the country.

County bosses remain keen for some Blast matches to host limited capacity audiences later in the summer, but last week's No.10 announcement that October 1 is the target date for the widespread return of crowds means it is possible there will be no fans at competitive cricket matches in the UK in 2020.