Somerset appoint Stuart Barnes as bowling coach on full-time deal

Barnes had previously worked with Bangladesh, Surrey and England Young Lions, before joining Somerset on a consultancy basis during the 2019 season

Stuart Barnes has signed a two-year contract with Somerset, with the 49-year-old becoming the county’s full-time assistant and specialist bowling coach.

He initially joined the county before the start of the 2019 season in March, taking on the role of a consultant bowling coach. After a successful year for the club – Somerset won the Royal London One-Day Cup and narrowly missed out on a first County Championship crown, Barnes has been offered a permanent post.

He has previously worked with Bangladesh, Surrey and England Young Lions. Barnes, who was born in Bath, began his role with Somerset working alongside the squad’s bowlers for the duration of the Royal London Cup, with former Zimbabwe bowler Heath Streak having worked with the group during their preseason camp in Abu Dhabi.

Craig Overton took 20 wickets and Josh Davey added 14 more as Tom Abell’s side reached the Lord’s final, where they beat Hampshire comfortably. Barnes has also worked with the club’s second eleven.

After signing his new, expanded deal Barnes said: “I’m really excited about the next two years. I feel like I was able to build up some good relationships with the bowling group and the coaching staff this year, and when the opportunity presented itself to grow those relationships even further, I accepted immediately.

^{Somerset beat Hampshire to win the Royal London One-Day Cup in 2019}

“The skill level within the bowling group is very exciting and my challenge now is to find ways of working with each player to develop them into an even more impressive bowling group.

“The past season was extremely enjoyable. Winning the Lord’s final was an experience that will stay with us forever although what goes with those experiences is the hunger for more!”

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry added: “During his time at the club, Stuart has developed a really solid bond with the players and coaching staff.

“He has an excellent work ethic and during his time with the club last summer he demonstrated that he has the skill and expertise that we identified as being needed to develop the support that we provide to the players.

“His attention to detail and his desire to leave no stone unturned in pursuit of improvement have really impressed us and we feel that he is the right person to join the coaching team to help support taking us forward over the next few years.”

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