Somerset's Cheltenham and Gloucester semi final match against Kent next Thursday will be a sell out.

Ever since tickets went on sale to the general public earlier this week the office at the County Ground has been inundated by both personal and telephone callers, now less than a 1000 of the tickets for the big match remain unsold.

This is the second year on the trot that the Cidermen have hosted a home semi final. Last season they beat Warwickshire in a nail biting finale, thanks to the heroics of Keith Dutch and Rob Turner.

Despite their disappointing form in the other competitions Somerset seem to be performing well in the Cheltenham and Gloucester, and have already beaten the Yorkshire Board, Hampshire and Worcestershire to reach this stage.

Man of the Match hero Keith Parsons told me: "Looking ahead to the game we are all feeling very positive. We have beaten Kent on the last two occasions that we have been to Lords, and feel confident. We seem to be playing our best one day cricket in the C and G at the moment."

After the close of play yesterday chief executive Peter Anderson told me: "The ground limit for the match is 7000 and the current situation is that we have sold 6000 tickets, with enquiries coming in at such a rate that we are having difficulty in dealing with them."

Tickets for the match will continue to be on sale at the ground on Friday, and if any remain unsold the office will be open on Saturday between 9am and 1pm, with Monday being the last day for purchase.

Tickets can be purchased in person, or by telephone (01823 272946) using a credit card, for which there is a £1.50 handling charge.

The chief continued: "We are expecting the few remaining tickets to sell quickly so people need to buy in advance because there will be no tickets available on the day. Those attending the match next week should arrive early."

He concluded: "For this match people will be prohibited from bringing alcohol into the ground and there will be gate searches."

© SOMERSET