STEVE Snell has been appointed as the new Academy Director and Second XI Coach at Somerset following the departure of Andy Hurry to the ECB.

Snell, who is 31, is no stranger to the County Ground set-up because he stepped in as replacement wicket-keeper in a List A game and the last Championship match in 2011 and then went to the Champions League T20 in India with Somerset, where he enjoyed considerable success.

He was on hand again to play for Somerset at the end of the 2012 season, since when he has been playing Minor County Cricket for Hertfordshire and coaching the wicket-keepers at his former county, Gloucestershire.

Between 2001 and 2012 Snell played in 44 First Class matches, in which he scored over 1,700 runs at an average of just over 26 with a best of 127, as well as appearing in 26 List A and 22 T20 matches.

Snell said: "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.

“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."

Director of Cricket Matt 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.”

Steve Snell will start his new role on January 5.