Kent Cricket have announced that Kent Talent Pathway graduate Olivia Barnes has been made available to play for Kent Women this Summer on a match-by-match basis, on loan from Somerset.

The 19-year-old originally made her Kent debut in May 2022, and made 14 appearances for the Horses before making the move to the west country ahead of the first season of League One cricket with Somerset.

She returns to Kent after playing for the county from Under 11s upwards, after also having spent time with South East Stars and Sunrisers at regional level.

The Margate-born left-arm orthodox spinner and right-hand batter will be available for Kent Women in the Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two and Vitality Blast League Two from 21 April onwards.

On being available for Kent again in 2025, Barnes said: “I’m so happy to be able to play for my home county again in 2025 around my commitments with Somerset.

“There is a great squad at Kent that is ready to compete for honours across two formats – I’m chuffed that I can be more than just a fan now following from afar, but I can wear a Kent shirt again and continue my development.”

Kent’s Head of Women’s Cricket, Lucy Arman, said: “We’re extremely pleased that Liv has been made available for us again this Summer.

“She adds an extra dimension for our bowling unit and is an aggressive middle-order batter. 

“The fact that multiple former Kent Talent Pathway players that have moved up to League One cricket are actively looking to return and be a part of our new chapter shows the strength we have as a squad, and our commitment to continuing to be one of the most successful women’s county sides in the country.”