SOMERSET County Cricket Club have sold out of white-ball memberships for the upcoming season for the first time ever.

White-ball passes, priced from £217, grant supporters entry to all home matches in the Vitality Blast T20 competition, all home matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup, and entry to additional matches held at the Cooper Associates County Ground. 

When the news was announced, Somerset's commercial director Caroline Herbert said: “Membership for white-ball cricket has always been extremely popular at the Cooper Associates County Ground, but this year has seen an unprecedented level of demand.

“This is the first time that our white-ball memberships have sold out, and that is a credit to the cricket that is on display and also to the passion and loyalty of our members and supporters who have secured their places at our busiest matches well in advance.

“That kind of loyalty and support is something that should not be overlooked, and we are so grateful to everyone who has purchased a membership or a ticket for the 2022 season.”

Paul Tweddle, Somerset's assistant and fielding coach, took to Twitter to praise the club's “unbelievable support base” and said he was “so proud” of the achievement. 

Somerset's first competitive fixture of the season at the Cooper Associates County Ground will be a County Championship match against Essex on April 14.

Somerset's first home Vitality Blast match of the season will take place on May 29 against Essex Eagles, and the club's Royal London Cup campaign will start on August 4 against Notts Outlaws in Taunton.

Yesterday, Somerset announced the signing of Lachlan Stevens as the club's new batting and performance coach.

Somerset's head coach Jason Kerr believes there will be “genuine competition for places with both bat and ball” at the club this season, meaning the players “have to be ruthless and maximise their opportunities”.