2020 Bob Willis Trophy Final – Somerset vs Essex Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Somerset vs Essex taking place? Wednesday 23rd September, 2020 – 10:30 (UK)
Where is Somerset vs Essex taking place? Lord’s, London
What is the expected weather for Somerset vs Essex? Chance of light rain showers on Days One and Two, but dry with sunny intervals on Days Three, Four and Five.
What channel is Somerset vs Essex on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Somerset vs Essex? This match can be streamed live on the official Sky Sports Cricket YouTube channel, the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and the official websites of the First-Class Counties
Where can I get tickets for Somerset vs Essex? This match will be played behind closed doors
THE LOWDOWN
Eighteen counties began competing for the Bob Willis Trophy back in August and now only two remain to face off in a coveted five-day final at Lord’s. Winners of the Central Group, Somerset take on the reigning County Champions Essex, who won the South Group. Yorkshire miss out despite having won the North Group, having accumulated a lower points tally (87) than both Somerset (97) and Essex (90).
This is a rematch of last year’s County Championship decider at Taunton, where a combination of rain and dogged batting on a result wicket saw Essex secure a draw which was enough for them to lift the trophy. Somerset will be looking not just for revenge, but also to win a domestic red ball competition for the first time in their history, having never won the County Championship.
THE PREDICTION
The toss could prove crucial here, with rain forecasted for the first two days and the winners being decided on highest completed first innings score, should the match finish a draw. Both sides will likely look to bat first on a fresh Lord’s pitch and put scoreboard pressure on their opponents, with neither team expected to be enamoured by the prospect of potentially batting the fourth innings on a Day Five wicket.
Whilst both teams boast incredibly strong bowling attacks capable of taking 20 wickets, it is the batting that perhaps sets the two sides apart. Whilst Essex boast the best batsman of the two sides in Sir Alastair Cook, Somerset boast the better batting line-up as a whole, with a strong tail capable of plundering late order runs. They managed ten batting bonus points in the group stages, whilst Essex only gained six. This is likely to prove the difference in the final between two excellent sides, with Somerset expected to secure a higher first innings score than Essex, which should create a path for the South West based county to go on and secure victory and with it, the Bob Willis Trophy!
