WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids have enjoyed a 100 per cent increase in the sales of NatWest T20 Blast season passes for the 2016 campaign.

More than 400 were snapped up for all seven North Group matches at New Road.

But general ticket sales have also been healthy and the eagerly-awaited showdown with local rivals Birmingham Bears on Friday, July 15, is already close to being a sell-out.

A combination of exciting cricket from skipper Daryl Mitchell and his side and an attractive all-round matchday experience is paying dividends, according to the club.

County general manager Jon Graham said: “In relation to sales to date, the one thing that is really different relates to the T20 season pass.

“We introduced it and the first year it went okay but wasn’t fantastic.

“Last year was better and we did just under 200 and for 2016 we have sold over 400.

“Ticket sales have been really good for us.

“Usually, the first few games are quite difficult because people are still watching other things, like the Premier League, and we are vying for people’s air time and leisure time.

“The crowd against Northamptonshire, given the weather was not great and England were playing the following day in their first Euro 2016 game against Russia, was nearly 4,000 again, which was excellent.

“We like to think we put on a decent show outside of cricket and the investment we are making in things like the food village has been really well received — and we’ve got a winning team.

“You haven’t got one or two superstars that everyone looks to deliver every single game.

“Performance really helps but, with everything else we’ve done over the last couple of years, we are starting to get a reputation for providing exactly what it is — a really good night out.

“The advance ticket sales for Saturday (against Notts Outlaws) were again really good despite the game being slap bang in the middle of the European Football Championships. We are thankful people still keep coming to see what we are about.”

Graham added: “For the Birmingham game, even though it is still a month away, we are very close to being sold-out.”