Tom Maynard. File picture: PA

Cricketer Tom Maynard, electrocuted on a Tube line as he fled police, was a regular drug user up to three-and-a-half months before his death, an inquest heard today.

Tom Maynard died from multiple injuries sustained when he stepped on a District line live rail close to Wimbledon Park and was then hit by a train just after 5am on June 18 last year.

Many had tipped the 23-year-old as a future England international.

Tests on hair samples indicated Mr Maynard may have been using drugs up to three and half months before his death, Westminster Coroner’s Court heard.

Post-mortem tests indicated high levels of alcohol in his urine, as well as the presence of MDMA, cocaine and the compound cocaethylene, the inquest heard.

In a statement, Dr Rosa Cordero said analysis showed positive results for the presence of MDMA and cocaine levels which matched some daily users of the drug.

The post-mortem examination showed Mr Maynard was nearly four times over the legal limit to drive and had also taken MDMA after a night out in Wandsworth with flatmates.

Forensic pathologist Dr Simon Poole told the inquest jury that Mr Maynard suffered burns to his feet, ankles and shins which were consistent with injuries suffered by skin touching live railway tracks.

But was not possible to say, he added, whether electrocution or the impact with the train caused Mr Maynard’s death.

Mr Maynard had fled police earlier in the night, the inquest heard, when he was stopped after his car - a black Mercedes - was seen driving erratically.

The Surrey county cricketer, who came through the ranks at Glamorgan, earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of last year.

Born in Cardiff, he was the son of former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard.