OLDSWINFORD CC and Stourbridge Social CC have merged to become one club.

The two sides have joined forces and will now be a four-team club known as Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social Cricket Club and will play in divisions two and four of the Worcester County League.

The club said the reason for the change was due to increasing workloads and a shortage of senior players.

Club chairmen Jim Hingley and Paul Hatton said in a joint statement: "Our clubs have always had a good relationship with mutual respect and indeed, several players have turned out for both clubs over the years. We now have one of the best youth sections in the county and this merger gives even greater opportunities for promising youngsters to break through into the adult sides.

"At the same time we now have much stronger squads to hopefully challenge for honours in divisions two and four of the Worcester County League. There are not many clubs who can boast two of their own controlled venues and in our case this makes it a lot easier to host our successful girls and disability groups."

Oldswinford and Stour Social kick off their season this Saturday with a home game against Feckenham.