SOMERSET CCC have found “no evidence” of crowd abuse after a “thorough investigation” into last Friday night’s Vitality T20 Blast match against Surrey.

Visiting all-rounder Tom Curran took to Twitter after his side’s four-wicket defeat and wrote: “Comfortably the worst crowd I’ve ever experienced today.

“A complete embarrassment to Somerset CCC and all their players (who played a great game and are very good men). A bunch of peasants setting a terrible example for the many young kids I saw in the crowd today. Such a shame!”

The tweet was hastily deleted but not before it was picked up by Somerset supporters on social media.

Many were critical of Curran, though both the club and the County Gazette have received messages from supporters who claimed some comments made by the crowd were out of order.

Somerset chief executive Andrew Cornish told the County Gazette: “We have conducted a thorough investigation which has involved interviewing every steward on duty, listening to feedback from members and keeping close contact with Surrey throughout.

“We have no evidence to suggest anything out of line was said - we don’t know for sure that it wasn’t, but no stewards heard anything.

“We have a zero tolerance approach to any comments of an anti-social, homophobic or racist nature.

"Anyone who is found to have made such remarks will be evicted from the ground, never allowed back in and, if necessary, reported to the police.

“Supporters who wish to report abuse in the ground can do so by texting SCCC Steward followed by your message to 66777 and the response will be instant.”

Somerset County Gazette:

CHIEF: Andrew Cornish (right) with T20 captain Lewis Gregory.

Cornish was also keen to stress the positives of a vocal home support, with the prospect of a home quarter-final next weekend a very real possibility.

“Friday night was electric and by far and away the best atmosphere I’ve ever heard in a cricket ground,” he said.

“We want to make use of home advantage and we want the ground to be a cauldron - the players feed off it.

"But there is a very clear line and we do not tolerate any comments which cross that line.

“If there are two morons among a crowd of 7,100, it is important to punish the two rather than the 7,098 who behave themselves.

“People have suggested limiting the sale of alcohol at the ground, but that is not something we will be doing at this moment in time.”

Somerset have also reminded their players of their club policy regarding the use of social media in light of Curran’s heat of the moment response.

The club are planning to hold a members’ meeting this Monday, August 20, following the conclusion of the second day’s play between Somerset and Essex.

Cornish, chairman Charles Clarke and head coach Jason Kerr are expected to be in attendance, with membership structures likely to be high on the agenda.

“I look forward to hearing what our members have to say,” Cornish said.

“I will always listen to suggestions. We will be keeping the separate Club [County Championship and One-Day Cup] and T20 membership but there are ways we can fine tune it, particularly on issues surrounding allocated seating.”