KIDDERMINSTER Victoria skipper Jonathan Wright has backed Matt Pardoe to bounce back from his Worcestershire exit.

Pardoe will be looking for a new county to play for this winter after the Royals declined to offer the 23-year-old left hander a new deal.

By his own high standards the young batsman, who has spent ten years coming through the ranks at New Road, has struggled to score runs both for Worcestershire and KVCC.

But he will be given hope by what happened to Kidderminster team-mate Neil Pinner, who has signed a deal to play for Leicestershire next season.

Like Pardoe, Pinner was released last summer, but impressed for the Foxes before suffering a serious injury.

But he returned to fitness and made an immediate impact for KVCC in the second half of the season and has been rewarded for his efforts.

However, he won’t be able to play for Kidderminster as Leicestershire require their players to play in the local league.

Wright said: “I am shocked that Matt has been released, he’s had just one bad season in the ten he’s been at the club.

“In the previous season he scored a lot of runs against good sides and I am sure he will sign for someone.

“We’re delighted for Neil, he’s a quality player and deserves to be playing in the County Championship.

“He made a big impact for us when he came back this summer and we’re delighted for Neil because Kidderminster is his club.”

KVCC will be hoping to end the season with a home win over Birmingham and District League Premier champions West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday (noon start).

The Chester Road side were too strong for Dorridge as they recorded a five-wicket victory.

Michael Hill bagged a stunning five wicket haul as the Warwickshire outfit were bowled for 166.

Pinner (37) and Craig Wood (57) guided Kidderminster to 170-05.