While Essex faced Somerset at Lord’s, the Bob Willis Trophy was again secured by Essex this year. The scores of Essex in the final match were 337 for 8 and 179 for 6 while Somest scored 301 (all-out) and 272 for 7 respectively.
The match ended as a draw, as per the playing regulations state that the winner would be the side with the higher first innings total, in such circumstances. Essex has won the domestic first-class competition three times in the last four years.
With a deteriorating pitch and determined Somerset team, Essex scored 131 for 5wickets with a minimum of 27.1 overs remaining before Ryan ten Doeschate and Adam Wheater came together to put Somerset back.
Somerset has thus finished second in the domestic first-class competition in each of the last three years. However, the contest of conducting the Bob Willis Trophy remains a question for the future. The rules in the trophy are diluting the play, few reckon.
Few suggestions draw in to award the Championship title to the side which finishes top at the end of the league stages. Later, contest this match as a standalone event between the top two sides.
English