Ahead of the Bob Willis Trophy beginning on Saturday, August 1, Michael Rudling preview the sides that will be competing in the North Group.
Gloucestershire
2019 form: Gloucestershire’s third-place finish in Division Two last year confirmed their return to the top tier for the first time since 2005.
Key player: Chris Dent
Since the start of 2017, only Rory Burns and Gary Ballance have more County Championship runs than the southpaw opener.
One to watch: Ben Charlesworth
Impressive at the U-19 World Cup earlier this year, but someone who appears suited and booted for the longest form; he has three first-class half-centuries to his name so far.
Glamorgan
2019 form: Missed out on promotion with a fourth-place finish in Division Two.
Key player: Billy Root
Root enjoyed reasonable success in his first season in Wales, averaging 37 in the Championship and producing a double-hundred against Northants.
One to watch: Dan Douthwaite
Signed up last year after impressing for Cardiff MCCU, the seam-bowling all-rounder hit his maiden first-class century against Sussex for his university side.
Northamptonshire
2019 form: Northants lost just two games last year, finishing second to win promotion up to the First Division.
Key player: Ben Sanderson
Sanderson tore up Division Two last year, taking 60 wickets. The right-arm seamer boasts one of the best records in England, with 233 FC career scalps at 20.06.
One to watch: Blessing Muzarabani
A Zimbabwean Kolpak, Muzarabani has one Test cap for his home country. He put in a good all-round performance in the pre-season game against Middlesex, taking 1-26 and crunching 61 off 66.
Somerset
2019 form: The Taunton-based side missed out on a first-ever Championship title last year, finishing second to Essex.
Key player: Tom Abell
No one averaged more than 32 in the Championship with the bat for Somerset last year, but Abell performed better than most, scoring one hundred and five fifties as captain of the side.
One to watch: Eddie Byrom
Byrom has struggled to establish himself in Championship cricket so far, but excelled last year in the Blast, where he struck at a rate 197.
Warwickshire
2019 form: Warwickshire had a poor season in 2019, finishing seventh in Division One. Their blushes were saved only by the reshuffling of the league system (which meant only one team was relegated).
Key player: Sam Hain
Known more for his white-ball cricket, Hain averaged 51 in the Championship last year, outscoring all his teammates bar Dom Sibley.
One to watch: Michael Burgess
Burgess played just five Championship games last year but impressed with three brisk fifties.
Worcestershire
2019 form: Worcester struggled last year, finishing second from bottom in Division Two, with just three wins and seven losses among their 14 games.
Key player: Daryl Mitchell
Usually a rock for Worcester, Mitchell struggled last year, averaging just 25 in the Championship. A return to the form for the veteran will be key for them.
One to watch: Josh Tongue
Injuries hurt him last year as the quick made just four appearances in the Championship, but he still topped the averages with 17 wickets at 19.
Bob Willis Trophy Fixtures – Central Group
Group Slot Start Home Away Venue
Central 1 01-08-2020 Gloucs Worcs Bristol County Ground
Central 1 01-08-2020 Somerset Glamorgan The Cooper Associates County Ground
Central 1 01-08-2020 Warwicks Northants Edgbaston
Central 2 08-08-2020 Gloucs Warwicks Bristol County Ground
Central 2 08-08-2020 Northants Somerset The County Ground Northampton
Central 2 08-08-2020 Worcs Glamorgan Blackfinch New Road
Central 3 15-08-2020 Glamorgan Gloucs Sophia Gardens
Central 3 15-08-2020 Northants Worcs The County Ground Northampton
Central 3 15-08-2020 Warwicks Somerset Edgbaston
Central 4 22-08-2020 Northants Glamorgan The County Ground Northampton
Central 4 22-08-2020 Somerset Gloucs The Cooper Associates County Ground
Central 4 22-08-2020 Worcs Warwicks Blackfinch New Road
Central 5 06-09-2020 Glamorgan Warwicks Sophia Gardens
Central 5 06-09-2020 Gloucs Northants Bristol County Ground
Central 5 06-09-2020 Worcs Somerset Blackfinch New Road
