Counties set for action in Bob Willis Trophy

THE shortened red-ball competition to be held this year will be named the Bob Willis Trophy in honour of the former England captain who died last December aged 70.

A majority of counties agreed to push ahead with both first-class and limited-overs cricket when the season starts from August 1, but it was reported that some wanted to play the white-ball format only.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed all 18 first-class counties have agreed to take part in the same competitions.

That will start with a four-day tournament followed by an abridged Vitality Blast which is set to get under way on August 27.

“The enforced break due to Covid-19 has provided a challenging period for the county game during which time the 18 firstclass counties have been united with a common goal to get back to our core function of playing cricket,” said Neil Snowball, the ECB’s managing director of county 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.”