Alastair Cook shines as Essex clinch inaugural Bob Willis Trophy
Essex defied Somerset’s bowlers to draw the Bob Willis Trophy final but take the first title after they had secured a first-innings lead of 36 runs at Lord’s on Sunday.
The county champions were set a target of 237 to win but after being reduced to 98 for four they batted out for a draw. Ryan ten Doeschate (46) and Adam Wheater (14 not out) survived for almost two hours under the floodlights before Essex finished on 179 for six. It means Somerset’s wait for a first red-ball county title continues.
In a repeat of the County Championship-deciding fixture of last season, it was again Essex taking the silverware at Somerset’s expense.
Somerset began the final day with a lead of 191 and three wickets in hand, knowing they had to give themselves a chance of bowling Essex out to win the title.
They had 81 overs to defend 236 after adding 45 runs without losing a wicket, after declaring their second innings on 272 for seven.
Craig Overton (45 not out) and Josh Davey (16 not out) negotiated the opening half an hour and Essex appeared content to let them set up a run chase rather than take the remaining three wickets.
Essex started that chase positively but Nick Browne was well caught by Tom Abell at third slip off Lewis Gregory for 13 and Captain Tom Westley departed without scoring in the following over to leave them 26 for two.
The prize wicket of Alastair Cook continued to elude them until just after lunch but Gregory snared the former England Captain for a second time in the match to put the brakes on again.
Somerset: 301 (E. Byrom 117, S. Cook 5/76) and 272/7 decl (T. Lammonby 116, J. Porter 4/73)
Essex: 337/8 (A. Cook 172, L. Gregory 6/72) and 179/6 (R. ten Doeschate 46, J. Leach 3/38).