Early this morning, Somerset announced that their allocation of tickets for the Cheltenham and Gloucester trophy final against Yorkshire on August 31st had all been sold.

With a membership of almost 7000 the Cidermen's share of the tickets that amounted to 4500 had all been snapped up in just three days, which was much quicker than had been the case in 1999 and 2001, the last two occasions that the side went to Lord's.

Over the last few days the club has received a number of complaints from non-members who were unable to obtain tickets from the club in view of the small number allocated.

In response to these complaints chief executive Peter Anderson told me: "The fact is that we have no control over the numbers that we are allocated because this is decided by the MCC who own the ground that the final is played upon."

He continued: " As with last year we try to obtain additional tickets from other counties who all receive an allocation, and from the MCC when they have dealt with their demands."

The Somerset boss concluded: "I'm sorry that non members are finding it difficult to get tickets, but one of the advantages of being a member of Somerset County Cricket Club is that you get a chance to buy your tickets first. I think that there is a moral here somewhere!"

© SOMERSET