KIDDERMINSTER Victoria have bolstered their batting options by welcoming back Craig Wood ahead of the new season.

The local lad has returned to the club he made his name with after a season playing for London outfit Blackheath.

Wood’s return adds batting know how to the Chester Road side.

He was one of KVCC’s most prolific run-scorers during the 2011 campaign, coming second in the first-team standing, after notching up 638 runs in the Birmingham and District League Premier.

He joined Blackheath last summer because of a new job and helped them win promotion from the Kent League Division One.

KVCC are also close to securing the services of seam bowler Chris Whelan.

The 26-year-old had a spell at KVCC two years ago when he was allocated by Worcestershire.

Team manager Ian Kimberlin said: “Craig has spent the year away but he’s a Kidderminster lad and it’s great to have him back at the club.

“Last season we had a lot of very inexperienced guys playing for us at times, when it would have been better for them to keep learning their skills in the second team.

“Craig’s return gives us more strength in depth which is great.

“We’re also 95 per cent sure that Chris will join us, it’s not done yet but we’re close.”

Otherwise, KVCC have retained the squad which finished fifth in last season’s rain-hit Premier Division, with Jonathan Wright continuing his duties as captain.

Worcestershire trio Ben Cox, Neil Pinner and Matt Pardoe will also play for KVCC again.

Kimberlin added: “We want to improve on last season’s fifth place.”