Essex will take on Somerset in the Bob Willis Trophy final beginning on Wednesday at Lord’s and you can watch the showpiece online for free.
The five-day match will mark the culmination of a truncated red-ball domestic season – brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic – with the 18 first-class counties split into three regional groups.
Somerset topped the Central Group with 97 points, and with Essex’s 90 points in the South Group topping Yorkshire’s 87 in the North, a re-match has been set up of last year’s County Championship title decider.
On that occasion, in a rain-affected encounter at Taunton, a draw led to Essex winning their second County Championship title in three years. Despite being one of the country’s dominant sides in recent times, Somerset have never won a County Championship title.
Where to watch the Bob Willis Trophy final
The Bob Willis Trophy final is being played behind closed doors, so no fans will be allowed in to watch. While it will not be broadcast on television, it will be streamed live on the Sky Sports Cricket YouTube channel – beginning at 10 am BST – the ECB’s website and BBC Online.
Star players
Essex – Simon Harmer
The South African off-spinner has been pivotal to Essex’s success for four seasons. He is the leading wicket-taker in the Bob Willis Trophy, with his 34 wickets coming at an average of 13.70. Harmer’s star turn came against Surrey at Chelmsford, where he followed a six-for in the first innings with eight in the second to help Essex to a 169-run win.
Somerset – Craig Overton
The England quick has been the leading man in Somerset’s impressive seam cartel. His 28 wickets have come at a scarcely believable average of 10.71 and economy rate of 1.99. Worcestershire’s 200 was the highest score the Somerset attack conceded in the group stage, with Overton, said to have added an extra yard of pace this summer, his county’s key weapon.
