Bob Willis Trophy Digest: All the action from day two of the final round of group games

The Cricketer rounds-up all the action from the second day of the final round of group matches in the Bob Willis Trophy

• Gloucestershire-Northamptonshire Bob Willis Trophy match abandoned due to positive Covid-19 test

NORTH GROUP

Aigburth (second day of four): Lancashire 219 v Derbyshire 120-7

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Derbyshire's chances of reaching the final of the Bob Willis Trophy are fading fast after Lancashire's inexperienced bowling attack had a day to remember at Aigburth.

Looking to secure a vital win, the North Group leaders endured a miserable time of it under Liverpool's leaden skies, losing seven wickets for just 120 as they attempted to chase down Lancashire's modest first innings total of 219.

Trent Bridge (second day of four): Nottinghamshire 251-2 v Durham 294

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A scintillating century from Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett was the highlight on the second day of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Durham at Trent Bridge.

The 25-year old remains unbeaten on 146 as Notts closed on 251 for two, with the left-hander adding an unbroken 186 for the third wicket with Joe Clarke, who will resume on 74 not out.

Despite three interruptions for rain and bad light Duckett played fluently throughout, square-cutting and driving imperiously to reach his 18th first class hundred from 153 balls, with 16 fours.

Headingley (second day of four): Yorkshire 36-2 v Leicestershire 124

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The second day of the final round Bob Willis Trophy clash between Yorkshire and Leicestershire was washed out without a ball bowled at Emerald Headingley.

Heavy morning rain forced an early lunch at 12.15pm before another burst meant the cancellation of a planned 2pm start. 

Umpires Peter Hartley and James Middlebrook later inspected in dry but gloomy conditions shortly after 4pm and deemed the outfield unplayable.

^{Nottinghamshire dominated the second day's play against Durham}

CENTRAL GROUP

Sophia Gardens (second day of four): Glamorgan 203 v Warwickshire 186

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Glamorgan gained a slender first innings lead of 17 after another day where the seamers held centre stage, with Warwickshire opting to use their four quick bowlers throughout the innings.

Billy Root emulated Ian Bell the previous day by holding the innings together and scoring a composed half century – he was undefeated on 51 from 100 balls when the innings ended.

Despite the loss of three overs and 35 overs in the afternoon session, the game has moved on and with two days remaining there is every chance of a positive outcome to this final game in the Bob Willis Trophy competition.

New Road (second day of four): Worcestershire 200 v Somerset 251 & 16-1

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Leaders Somerset fought back strongly with the ball and took a major step towards sealing a Lord’s final spot after a dramatic Worcestershire collapse on the second day of the Bob Willis Trophy Central Group encounter at Blackfinch New Road.

The home side were threatening to post a formidable total after reaching 123 for 1 shortly after the lunch interval in reply to Somerset’s 251 all out.

Worcestershire appeared to have seized the momentum thanks to another impressive performance from Jake Libby who scored his fourth fifty plus score in eight innings in the competition.

The former Nottinghamshire player is currently the leading scorer in the Trophy with 475 runs at an average of 59.37.

But then the tables were turned spectacularly after an afternoon break for rain as nine wickets tumbled for 77 runs in 20 overs post-tea.

^{Rory Burns reached his first hundred of the summer}

SOUTH GROUP

Chelmsford (second day of four): Essex 236 v Middlesex 138 & 123-6

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Aaron Beard toppled the Middlesex top order after Adam Wheater’s chanceless 83 not out put Essex on course for the Bob Willis Trophy final.

Fast bowler Beard took three wickets in 21 balls after tea to leave Middlesex with their backs against the wall at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.

The visitors did tip-toe into a lead but having ended the day on 123 for six, a slender lead of 25, they’ll need an extraordinary effort from the tail to set Essex a tricky fourth-innings chase.

Earlier, Wheater posted a three-year high to give Essex a commanding first-innings lead of 98, as they pocketed four bonus points.

Canterbury (second day of four): Kent 170 v Hampshire 191 & 108-5

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Some 13 wickets fell during an enthralling day as Kent and Hampshire battled for ascendancy on day two of their Willis Trophy south group clash in Canterbury.

Though Kent are well placed having reduced the visitors to 108 for five in their second innings, the errant hosts will be angered by six dropped catches – blunders that may yet allow Hampshire to wriggle free from the hook in this hard-fought game.

Kia Oval (second day of four): Surrey 171-4 v Sussex 415

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Rory Burns reached his first hundred of the Covid-shortened 2020 summer but a late break for bad light triggered a dramatic finale to day two as Surrey lost three wickets in three overs and Sussex wrested back control of their Bob Willis Trophy match at the Kia Oval.

Nineteen-year-old off spinner Jack Carson had Burns leg-before for a sparkling 103 with the first ball following a 25-minute interruption, and in the next over 18-year-old paceman Henry Crocombe sent back Jamie Smith and nightwatchman Adam Finch for ducks in successive balls. Smith was bowled, shouldering arms, and Finch pinned leg-before.

Ben Foakes just about dug out Crocombe’s hat-trick ball and, with Hashim Amla on 6, Surrey will resume tomorrow on 171 for 4 in reply to Sussex’s 415.

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