Ben Gardner picks out Wisden’s team of the week from round one of the Bob Willis Trophy, a combined XI from the nine games that took place.
Phil Salt (Sussex)
68 & 80
Having been snubbed for the Ireland ODIs despite a rapid warm-up hundred, Phil Salt showed no ill-effects for the change of format, striking a pair of contrasting half-centuries in Sussex’s opening win. His quick-fire first-innings 68 was one of only two scores above 14 for the Sharks, while his second-innings 80 was the only score above 25 in that innings. Only one other player across both sides made a fifty.
Ben Slater (Leicestershire)
172 & 25
On loan from Notts, Ben Slater’s marathon first-innings hundred paved the way for Leicestershire’s incredible victory. A career-best score, and not before time after a tough 2019.
Nick Gubbins (Middlesex)
192 & 60
No one scored more runs than Nick Gubbins in the first round of the Bob Willis Trophy, with his first-innings 192 setting up a match-defining total, and his second-innings 60 brisk enough to give Middlesex just enough time to secure victory deep into the final session. A welcome return to form.
Leus du Plooy (Derbyshire)
130 & 7
Naturally it’s Derbyshire’s chase of 365, from the penultimate available ball, that will draw the plaudits, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Leus du Plooy’s hundred in the first innings. No other Derbyshire players passed 50, only two made it into double figures, and du Plooy’s 130 accounted for well over half his side’s runs in the innings.
Colin Ackermann (c) (Leicestershire)
94 & 73*
A proper captain’s effort. His first-innings 94 ably supported Slater, with the pair adding 165 for the third wicket, but his 73 off 41, propelling a chase of 150 inside 16 overs, is what really earns him a spot in this team.
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Adam Rossington (wk) (Northamptonshire)
4 & 135*
The only draw of the round, but if it wasn’t for Adam Rossington Warwickshire would have had an easy victory. Having been skittled for 142 in the first innings, the keeper-batsman emerged with his team in trouble again, 148-5 and still trailing by more than 50. The usually belligerent right-hander put his strokes away to display a different side to his game, keeping out 399 balls in his 135 not out.
Fynn Hudson-Prentice (Derbyshire)
8 & 91*
Until Fynn Hudson-Prentice grabbed the occasion and bent it to his will, it looked like Derbyshire would fall valiantly short in their tall chase against Nottinghamshire. But, having taken his time to get settled, the No.7 gave Notts both barrels, finishing unbeaten on 91 to secure a miraculous win.
Tim Murtagh (Middlesex)
5-47 & 2-27
As good as ever. Took five in the first innings and two in the second, displaying all his wiles, including an occasional shortened run-up which accounted for Will Jacks.
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
3-36 & 5-29
Continues to bang on the England door, with eight cheap wickets decisive in a Sussex win over Hampshire that was closer than the eventual margin made it look.
Craig Overton (Somerset)
5-38 & 2-31
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
2-16 & 5-48
The Overton twins played a key part in delivering Somerset the round’s most dominant victory. Craig claimed five in the first and two in the second, and Jamie did the opposite. Neither made a score, but then they can’t both do everything all the time.
