SOMERSET County Cricket Club have signed left-arm spinner Olivia Barnes on a two-year rookie contract.

The 18-year-old is a product of the Kent Pathway and made her debut for the county in 2022. Olivia, who captained the Kent Under 18s, was a member of the South East Stars Academy in 2022 and 2023 and was a part of the Sunrisers Academy in 2024.

She was also named in the Essex Academy in the winter of 2024. Olivia, who will join up with her teammates at the Cooper Associates County Ground later this month, is delighted to have signed her first professional contract.

“It’s really exciting because I’ve loved cricket since I was seven years old,” she said. “To become a professional is like a dream come true. It’s an honour to come into an environment with so many quality players. To be able to learn from the likes of Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson, Fran Wilson and Sophie Luff is a really big thing because I always want to improve

“We have the chance to set really high standards for the first ever season of Somerset Women’s professional cricket and then build on that. I’ve only spent two days with the squad, and already feel I’m part of the team. Everyone has been so welcoming and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for Somerset;

“I don’t want to look too far ahead, but I just can’t wait to get started. It’s so exciting to be playing with and against the best and I’m ready for that challenge.”

Somerset Women head coach, Trevor Griffin said: “I’m delighted that Liv has joined us. She’s just at the beginning of her journey but she displays the traits and behaviours we look for in Somerset players. She’s a genuine spinner who generates good revs and looks to spin the ball.”