Jack Butler picks out a combined XI of the best performers from the third round of the Bob Willis Trophy.
Ben Slater (Nottinghamshire)
146
Having begun his season on loan at Leicestershire with a ton against Lancashire, Slater was back at it for Nottinghamshire this round with a ton against… Lancashire!
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
116
The other Ben at Trent Bridge enjoyed a welcome return to form, hitting 116 from 156 balls and combining with Slater for a second-wicket stand of 178 as Notts put up 472 against Lancashire. While the follow on was enforced, Notts’ wait for a win in the Bob Willis Trophy continues.
Tom Fell (Worcestershire)
10 & 110*
A tremendous knock from Tom Fell in Worcestershire’s second innings against Northamptonshire saw the batsman register his first red-ball century since he began his fight against testicular cancer in 2015. Fell’s patient 110* set Worcestershire on their way to a 78-run win; they are currently leading the way in the Central Group.
Joe Denly (Kent)
89
On his return to county cricket, England batsman Joe Denly impressed as his teammates failed around him, hitting 89 against Middlesex as Kent were bowled out for just 191, with no-one else passing 20.
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
219
The standout innings of the weekend came from Yorkshire’s Dawid Malan as he passed 200 for the first time in his professional career, against Derbyshire in a draw marred with poor weather. His career-best came off just 244 balls, featuring 28 fours and four sixes. A return to the international set-up on Tuesday sealed off an excellent few days for the former Middlesex captain.
Steven Davies (Somerset) wk
123*
A fine hundred from Somerset’s wicketkeeper saw his side declare on 413-9 as they set up the push for victory over Warwickshire. Davies also took six catches across two innings, but the rain was incredibly unkind to the visitors at Edgbaston as they fell two wickets short.
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
120, 0-42 & 2-22
Joverton will not leave for Surrey before making a big splash. While he went wicketless in the match, the Somerset quick delivered his maiden first-class hundred in destructive style, smashing 120 from 92 balls as he added 180 alongside Davies for the ninth wicket against Warwickshire. With 15 fours and six sixes in his innings, he deserves a place at No.7 this week.
Ian Holland (Hampshire)
6-60 & 1-17
Ian Holland had the ball talking at Arundel; his four early wickets reduced Surrey to 36-5. Two further wickets meant Holland claimed his maiden first-class five-for, and he added the scalp of Will Jacks in Surrey’s second innings as Hampshire secured a dominant innings win.
Simon Harmer (Essex)
3-48 & 5-54
An average week for Simon Harmer is a good week for everyone else. After taking 14 wickets against Surrey in the last round, the Essex offie settled for just eight in a three-wicket win over Sussex. That’s 28 wickets from three matches this season now. Ridiculous.
David Payne (Gloucestershire)
5-31 & 3-30
On a green surface at Sophia Gardens, Payne shone brightest. The left-arm seamer took a five-for in Glamorgan’s first innings and three wickets in the second, but a washed-out first day returned a draw.
Amar Virdi (Surrey)
6-101
There’s been little to smile about for Surrey so far this season, but Amar Virdi offered some brightness in the crushing loss to Hampshire, returning figures of 6-101 in Hampshire’s only innings. Surrey’s batting can hardly be blamed on their No.11, can it?
