- BATSMENRBM4s6sSR20.4 bowled through the gate! Somerset are in trouble now and no mistake! A perfect line and length, nibbling back off the seam, into middle and off, and Essex are soaring! Glenn McGrath-esque, taking the ball down the slope on that occasion after moving it away for most of his spell. A worthy wicket 52/31.3 an inswinger and it strikes him on the pad in line! Lammonby is out for a duck 0/115.2 stunning take from Wheater! Quite the response from Beard, digging it into the hips and flicking the glove as Abell attempted to ride the extra bounce. The ball ballooned down the leg side, but was dipping sharply as Wheater cartwheeled his left glove to the turf, and scooped it up! 34/291.6 round the wicket, thumps the pad, and up goes the finger! A change of angle, a fuller length, Byrom works across the new line but misses. Up goes the finger to end a superb and gutsy innings, richly acknowledged by his team-mates and opposition alike 270/736.3 driven, edged, gone! The pressure finally tells as Bartlett drives with stiff hands at a full length delivery, and Sir Alastair Cook's bucket hands are waiting as he crouches at first slip! That's the impact of maiden, after maiden, after maiden. 94/451.2 gottim! Little Chef fillets a thin outside edge and Wheater gobbles it up! Davies had been keen to put bat on ball in that channel outside off, but this was a slightly indeterminate prod, and Cook gets his man - third wicket of the innings for him 139/590.4 huge appeal and gone! Porter slides one a touch fuller, straight as a die as ever, Overton's big stride was true, but too gallumphing for that length. Up goes the finger, and the new ball strikes immediately 266/693.5 huge moo across the line, and Gregory's gone! That's five for Cook, and well deserved too. Very full, very straight, tempting the launch into the stands again, and thudded on the knee-roll 279/8101.5 round the wicket, pins the knee, and Harmer strikes! Nathan Lyon winces ... that's the way to do it. Half forward, a touch straighter, Leach played for turn but it slid into the pad, and Somerset are nine-down 301/9101.6 bowled him! Well, that was short and sweet, tossed onto a perfect length, outside off, biting the pitch, twisting through the gate as Brooks wafts airily. Now then ... that's not terrible news for Somerset. Runs on the board, and a chance to have a dart with the new ball before the close... 301/9Extras7 (b 1, lb 4, nb 2)TOTAL301 all out (102 Overs, RR: 2.95)Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Tom Lammonby, 1.3 ov), 2-34 (Tom Abell, 15.2 ov), 3-52 (Ben Green, 20.4 ov), 4-94 (George Bartlett, 36.3 ov), 5-139 (Steven Davies, 51.2 ov), 6-266 (Craig Overton, 90.4 ov), 7-270 (Eddie Byrom, 91.6 ov), 8-279 (Lewis Gregory, 93.5 ov), 9-301 (Jack Leach, 101.5 ov), 10-301 (Jack Brooks, 101.6 ov)
- BATSMENRBM4s6sSR13.6 there it is, breakthrough for Somerset, Gregory finds the edge from round the wicket and second slip gobbles it up! Immediate success from changing the angle of attack and Browne's watchful innings is over 27/193.4 huge wicket late in the day! Cook fences to second slip, brilliantly taken low down by the diving Overton! Cook grimaces as he heads off, it's been a magnificent knock but his dismissal has left the door ajar for Somerset to try and burgle a first-innings lead! 266/665.2 flicked in the air and straight to square leg! Oh my, what a start for Somerset! There were two men posted for that favoured flick, and Westley spanged straight into the frying pan of a leg trap, for a fine sharp tumbling catch. Now then, that changes things! 197/270.5 short, and clobbered straight to midwicket! That's not a good look for Lawrence, he's been properly undone by Gregory's aggression. Climbed into another pull, but his weight was way back, and he simply scooped it to the catcher! 208/370.6 round the wicket, stone dead lbw! Wow! That's fast, full and straight, Walter was going nowhere, and the finger was up to the batsman almost as quickly as the ball! Essex, suddenly, are feeling the heat! 208/492.1 pinned in front! Raps him on the knee roll, up goes the finger - Somerset and Craig Overton have barged themselves an opening! First wicket of the day for Overton, who's bowled well. Good pace, maybe seamed in with ten Doeschate stuck on the crease, looked pretty adjacent 264/5105.5 yorker, timber! Gregory has five as Porter's middle stump is uprooted! Well, it's not come quite when Somerset most wanted it, but it's a timely end to a very valuable knock from the nightwatchman. Right up to the blockhole, straight and aggressive. A pleasing sight for any fast bowler. 303/7107.2 nicked and gone! A fine sharp take from Overton at second slip! Right in the channel from the tireless Gregory, Harmer has to play at it to defend his off stump, and that fizzed into the cordon. That lead could be academic at this rate. Wickets are tumbling again, and there's plenty time for an on-field finish 303/8Extras26 (b 4, lb 12, nb 10)TOTAL337/8 (120 Overs, RR: 2.8)Did not bat: SJ CookFall of wickets: 1-27 (Nick Browne, 13.6 ov), 2-197 (Tom Westley, 65.2 ov), 3-208 (Dan Lawrence, 70.5 ov), 4-208 (Paul Walter, 70.6 ov), 5-264 (Ryan ten Doeschate, 92.1 ov), 6-266 (Alastair Cook, 93.4 ov), 7-303 (Jamie Porter, 105.5 ov), 8-303 (Simon Harmer, 107.2 ov)
- BATSMENRBM4s6sSR27.5 gottim, nips away to find the edge, swallowed at first slip! Beard leaps in celebration, hair flowing in the wake of his Alice band... Essex finally make the breakthrough, looked a good ball, straightening as Green attempted to close the bat face, and nicked straight into Alastair Cook's bread basket 105/150.1 done on the inside, up goes the finger! Harmer strikes at the other end, two in two for Essex, and it's the mighty Lammonby back in the sheds! Slid the ball on with the arm, classic offspinner's dismissal as the left-hander propped out looking for some turn. He's applauded in by his team-mates, a fine knock and it's given Somerset a sniff of that elusive bit of first-class silverware 187/535.4 oh, Abell's gone, chipped to square leg! One ball after raising the fifty stand, Porter breaks through, though it was something of a gift as Abell flicked off his pads, but straight to the fielder 155/243.5 dragged on, Porter strikes again! Wasn't the length for it, looking to force a drive and ends up chopping into his own woodwork... Just 1 off 28 balls, the first-innings centurion unable to get going this time. That'll pep Essex up, with Lammonby looking imperious at the other end 167/349.6 miscued straight to mid-on! Third wicket for Porter, and frustration for Bartlett as he tried to take things on. Stepped out purposefully, but Porter hit the pitch hard and his cross-batted swipe looped tamely towards the edge of the square 187/466.1 turn and bounce, finds the edge, scooped at slip! Beautiful from Harmer, put the lid on the scoring, then served up the killer ball, shifting his line across to off stump, finding some grip as Davies leant forward, and Cook was on hand with his buckets to snaffle the offering! That's a key scalp late in the day, and may determine Somerset's approach from hereon in 224/751.3 Cook takes a blinder at slip! Porter rips out another, climbing into the shoulder of the bat, the edge flew high and wide of Wheater, but there was Cook, springing across like a lamb gambolling over a stile, grabs it two-handed to his left! 188/6Extras13 (lb 11, nb 2)TOTAL272/7d (76 Overs, RR: 3.57)Fall of wickets: 1-105 (Ben Green, 27.5 ov), 2-155 (Tom Abell, 35.4 ov), 3-167 (Eddie Byrom, 43.5 ov), 4-187 (George Bartlett, 49.6 ov), 5-187 (Tom Lammonby, 50.1 ov), 6-188 (Lewis Gregory, 51.3 ov), 7-224 (Steven Davies, 66.1 ov)
- BATSMENRBM4s6sSR7.2 full and just outside off angling away, Browne prods and it's snaffled by Tom Abell at third slip! Gregory comes on and makes an immediate breakthrough for Somerset 25/123.2 gets him this time! Cook stands his ground, but umpire Warren's finger stays raised! Gregory and Somerset are cock-a-hoop, it must have been the slightest tickle as he pushed forward on off... Cook is smiling ruefully to himself as he trudges off. Did he hit it? We'll never know for certain, but Somerset have the breakthrough in the scorebook, and that's all that matters 68/38.3 beautiful length and bang in line, it beats the edge and raps Westley on the pad! The umpire's finger goes up, Westley is gone for a duck and Essex are two down, still 211 shy of the target 26/236.1 Massive appeal and Lawrence is gone! He has a long look at his inside edge as he leaves... that was the arm-ball, sliding into the pads, undoubtedly in line. And suddenly this is heading for a cliffhanger! 98/452.5 trapped him in front! Up goes the finger, Walter has been crowbarred out! Somerset have No.5 and they are almost in sight of the Essex tail... Bit of turn for Leach, straightening from round the wicket, and that looked a good shout (albeit my angle is from long-on) 131/579.5 walloped across the line, and Tendo holes out to midwicket! Technically, it's not over yet! Maybe the temptation of that half-century was too great, a chance to free the arms but he spooned it. And now it's four wickets in seven balls for Somerset! 179/6Extras19 (b 1, lb 10, nb 8)TOTAL179/6 (80.3 Overs, RR: 2.22)Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Nick Browne, 7.2 ov), 2-26 (Tom Westley, 8.3 ov), 3-68 (Alastair Cook, 23.2 ov), 4-98 (Dan Lawrence, 36.1 ov), 5-131 (Paul Walter, 52.5 ov), 6-179 (Ryan ten Doeschate, 79.5 ov)
Match Details
Series
Toss
Essex , elected to field first
Series result
Essex won the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy
Season
Hours of play (local time)
10.30 start, Lunch 12.30-13.10, Tea 15.10-15.30, Close 17.30
Match days
23,24,25,26,27 September 2020 (5-day match)
Umpires
Match Referee
Close of Play
- Wed, 23 Sep - day 1 - Somerset 1st innings 119/4 (EJ Byrom 51*, SM Davies 13*, 44 ov)
- Thu, 24 Sep - day 2 - Somerset 1st innings 301
- Fri, 25 Sep - day 3 - Essex 1st innings 271/6 (JA Porter 5*, AJA Wheater 0*, 98 ov)
- Sat, 26 Sep - day 4 - Somerset 2nd innings 227/7 (C Overton 17*, JH Davey 2*, 67.5 ov)
- Sun, 27 Sep - day 5 - Essex 2nd innings 179/6 (80.3 ov) - end of match
Match Notes
- A team must close their innings at 120 overs in the first innings, as per the regulations.
- Essex in their first innings closed at 120 overs
Match Coverage
All Match NewsAlastair Cook: 'While the sun's shining and I'm enjoying it, I want to continue'
Former England captain in no rush to call time on successful spell in autumn of career
Essex captain Tom Westley issues apology after beer poured on Muslim player
Westley said squad were "disappointed" they let the incident happen
Lingering snapshots of summer will carry cricket's family through an uncertain winter
Bob Willis Trophy has provided moments of normality in an unfamiliar world
Does Graham Gooch still hold the record for the most runs scored in a single Test?
Also: what is the highest total on the first day of any Test?
Westley takes pride in 'massive' Essex victory as Bob Willis Trophy adds to red-ball legacy
Captain endures nerve-wracking final day as county claims yet another first-class trophy
Bob Willis Trophy
Central Group | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | M | W | L | D | PT | NRR |
SOM | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 97 | -1.344 |
WORCS | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 74 | -5.449 |
WARKS | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 53 | -0.65 |
NHNTS | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 49 | 10.777 |
GLOUC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 45 | 0.469 |
GLAM | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 43 | 2.234 |
North Group | ||||||
Team | M | W | L | D | PT | NRR |
YORKS | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 87 | -2.187 |
DERBS | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 74 | -2.499 |
LANCS | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 66 | -1.76 |
NOTTS | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 59 | 4.033 |
LEICS | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 49 | -0.343 |
DURH | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 41 | 1.368 |
South Group | ||||||
Team | M | W | L | D | PT | NRR |
ESSEX | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 90 | -5.678 |
KENT | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 82 | 0.74 |
MIDDX | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 62 | -0.571 |
HANTS | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 57 | -1.208 |
SUR | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 36 | -1.207 |
SUSS | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 3.569 |