Bob Willis Trophy games will open a shortened season

ALL 18 first-class counties have agreed to participate in the same competitive red-ball and white-ball competitions during this summer’s shortened men’s domestic season.

The season will commence with a four-day competition which will enable all 18 first-class counties to compete for the Bob Willis Trophy. This will be followed by a shortened Vitality Blast competition starting on August 27.

Ticket holders for men’s domestic matches and club members are set to be contacted by venues with the options available to them after a new fixture schedule is announced.

ECB Managing Director of County Cricket, Neil Snowball, said: “The enforced break due to Covid-19 has provided a challenging period for the county game during which time the 18 first-class counties have been united with a common goal to get back to our core function of playing cricket.

“The commitment of the chairs and chief executives of the firstclass counties to work together to achieve that ambition has been resolute and we will remain in close discussion as we continue to assess risk factors that need to be mitigated in order to ensure the safety and welfare of their players, coaches and staff.

“We are all delighted that agreement has been reached across the game and we are now in a position to look forward to and prepare for a new men’s domestic season starting on August 1.”