Neil Edwards returning to Wellington Cricket Club
Wellington Cricket Club have thrown down an early Birmingham League promotion marker by re-signing prolific batsman Neil Edwards.
The former Somerset and Nottinghamshire opener has agreed to return to the Orleton Park outfit for a third successive season while the club have also snapped up highly-rated wicketkeeper/batsman Charlie Mackelworth.
The return of Edwards is a major plus for Wellington, who hope to finalise terms with an overseas player in the next week as they seek to recover from the heart-breaking end to last season when a final-day defeat at Bromsgrove cost them a place in the Premier Division.
Edwards, who spent 10 years in the professional game, topped Wellington's run-scoring charts in Division One, plundering 703 including a stunning 142 of just 60 balls in the clash with Wombourne.
Mackelworth will take over the first-team keeping duties following his arrival.
The teenager, whose father Andy played Minor Counties cricket for Shropshire, spent last season at Halesowen and figured for Worcestershire's second team.
"Charlie is a talented young player and he will start the season as first team wicketkeeper," added Byram.
