SOMERSET director of cricket Matthew Maynard is set to bring a new skill to his role after qualifying as a bus driver.

The 50-year-old former Glamorgan and England batsman gained his public service vehicle licence this week and will get behind the wheel when the squad leave for Canterbury on Thursday, ahead of Friday's opening T20 match against Kent.

Maynard said: "It was something I thought about last year.

"There were times when our driver Nick Yeo had to stop on the way home to collect another driver to bring us back. As you know, on the longer journeys, one driver cannot do the whole trip.

"I will help Nick out when his time runs out. My first trip will be tomorrow down to Canterbury because you can't do that trip in four-and-a-half hours so I will share the driving down there."

Maynard, in his second season with Somerset, joked that he could become a full-time driver for the team if his tenure comes to an early end.

He said: "I thought it would be good for my own personal development too.

"Don't get me wrong, I love cricket and would love to be here at Somerset for a good number of years.

"But if that doesn't happen, I could always become the coach driver for the lads."