KIDDERMINSTER Victoria are hoping to sign the experienced Nathan Round.

While the deal to bring the all-rounder from local rivals Himley is not complete, the club are keeping their fingers crossed the move will happen without a hitch.

The 34-year-old has played in the Minor Counties Championship for Herefordshire and scored 3,615 runs in the Birmingham League for Himley in 127 matches. He averages almost 40 with the bat and has also taken 87 wickets.

Meanwhile, training for young cricketers has begun.

KVCC are now running training for boys and girls, aged from seven to 10, at Heathfield School, Wolverley on Wednesdays.

Training for youngsters from 11 to 16 will be held for the first time at King Charles I High School, taking advantage of its refurbished sports hall and indoor nets, on Mondays from January 19.

KVCC junior head coach Craig Wood, a senior first-team player and level three qualified coach, will lead both training programmes.

Two free taster sessions are offered to newcomers at both venues and it is hoped that children from the two schools will also be attracted, cementing the partnership between them and the club.

Junior section chairman Sarah Beadsworth said: “We are delighted to take advantage of the excellent new facilities at King Charles and to continue our partnership with Heathfield for a third year.

“We have a first-class coaching team, headed by Craig, and hope to attract new members to our winter training, as well as our existing players, to prepare for a summer of competition.”

Training at Heathfield will be from 6pm until 7.15pm with a £3 per session charge, and it will run at King Charles from 6pm until 8pm at a cost of £4 per session.

KVCC’s junior section enters teams in competitive leagues and cup competitions at all age groups from Under-10 to Under-17 and enters Under-9s in softball contests.

All coaches are ECB-qualified and police checked. For more details, contact Sarah Beadsworth on 07841 502535.