Snell joins Somerset coaching team

Somerset have appointed former wicketkeeper Steve Snell as their second XI coach and academy director. He joins a new management team at Taunton, overseen by Matthew Maynard, and will help fill the gap left by the departures of Andy Hurry and Dave Houghton.

Snell, 31, played the majority of his cricket with Gloucestershire before being released in 2010. He went from playing minor counties to appearing in the Champions League in 2011, after being signed on a short-term deal when Somerset were without both Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler. He also turned out for Somerset in 2012 and, most recently, has coached wicketkeeping at Gloucestershire.

"The opportunity to continue the rich tradition of developing exciting and entertaining cricketers through the Somerset Academy and on to successfully representing the Somerset first team is a challenge I am immensely looking forward to," Snell said.

"The Somerset Academy is held in high esteem around the country and I am well aware of the outstanding work by past and present coaches involved with the county's development programmes. I am thrilled at the prospect of playing a major role in the future success of Somerset."

Maynard said: "This is a key role within the Somerset cricketing structure and we are delighted to have been able to appoint Steve, who has played for the county and knows the set-up at the County Ground. Steve is a high-quality coach and he will bring additional experience, enthusiasm and expertise to the team here at the County Ground."