TWO-IE: England cricket champs Essex will defend two titles in revamped cricket season
Essex will defend both their County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy titles next season, after an agreement was reached over another tweak to the first-class structure.
The two-division championship, which Essex won in 2019, was axed due to the coronavirus and then replaced by three regional conferences and a five-day Lord's final with Essex, once again, coming out on top ahead of Somerset.
With uncertainty over what restrictions may be in place next summer a hybrid solution has been struck for 2021, with 14 County Championship fixtures scheduled - up from five this year - starting in groups before being sorted into performance-related divisions.
The winners of the top division will be named county champions, before a showpiece a showpiece final at the home of cricket for the Bob Willis Trophy.
ECB Chair, Ian Watmore, said:
"It must be stressed that this structure has been agreed for next season only and during 2021 we will review and consult with the counties and other stakeholders to decide the appropriate next steps for the men's domestic structure in 2022 and beyond."
Next year's groups, seeded on first-class results over the past two campaign and making provision for local derbies where appropriate, are as follows:
Group 1: Essex, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Durham
Group 2: Somerset, Hampshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Leicestershire
Group 3: Kent, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Glamorgan, Sussex