SOMERSET'S cricketers will be competing in both four-day and T20 competitions this season, it has been confirmed.

All 18 First-Class Counties agreed to participate in the same red-ball and white-ball competitions during this summer's shortened men's domestic season, and fixtures will be announced later this month.

The season will commence on August 1 with a four-day competition, with all 18 counties vying for the Bob Willis Trophy (in place of the County Championship).

That will be followed by a shortened T20 Blast competition, set to start on August 27.

County members and ticket holders for men's domestic matches are to be contacted by venues with the options available to them, after a new fixture schedule is announced.

The England & Wales Cricket Board's managing director of county cricket, Neil Snowball, said: “The enforced break due to COVID-19 has provided a challenging period for the county game, during which time the 18 First-Class Counties have been united with a common goal to get back to our core function of playing cricket.

“The commitment of the chairs and chief executives of the counties to work together to achieve that ambition has been resolute, and we will remain in close discussion as we continue to assess risk factors that need to be mitigated in order to ensure the safety and welfare of their players, coaches and staff.

“We are all delighted that agreement has been reached across the game and we are now in a position to look forward to and prepare for a new men’s domestic season starting on August 1.”