Bowler Charlie Hartley is the latest player to leave Kent as the club's squad is 'streamlined' ahead of next season.

The 23-year-old seamer took 20 wickets in 11 matches across four seasons with the club, with his best return coming in the Tour match against the West Indies at Canterbury in August, where he took 4-80 on his way to six wickets in the match.

Hartley was named man-of-the-match after collecting 2-23 against Gloucestershire in a One-Day Cup group game in 2016 and took two wickets in the quarter-final defeat to Yorkshire later in the competition.

Hartley joins all-rounder Adam Ball and seamer Hugh Bernard in departing the club at the end of the 2017 campaign.

Head coach Matt Walker said: “Releasing players is one of the toughest parts of the job but we feel we need a smaller squad going forward.

“We had several seamers in the 2nd XI this year which is too much and ideally we want everyone to be pushing for a first team place.

“Having so many bowlers on the staff meant we’ve not been able to give everyone enough gametime and we’ve had to make some tough decisions.

“We wish Charlie, Adam and Hugh the best of luck going forward.”

Hartley admitted his chances of first-team action had been 'limited' and said: "The past four years have been a massive learning curve for me.

"It took a long time for me to fit into the changing room but I can honestly say I have gained some loyal friends for life. With the immense and diverse array of talent, I'm excited to see the lads progress and have no doubt they will be lifting trophies for Kent very soon."

He added: "Thankyou to the support staff for guiding me to become the person and cricketer I am today and also massive thanks to the Kent fans - on the whole I have received nothing but positivity and support in my limited opportunities for the 1st XI.

"I'm extremely excited to see what next season has to offer and the new challenges I will face."

Ball, who has already played a couple of trial matches for Leicestershire 2nd XI, played 101 times for Kent in all formats since making his first-class debut for his home county in 2011.