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