Surrey sign Schofield

26 October 2006

Chris Schofield © Getty Images

Surrey have signed former Lancashire and England leg-spinner Chris Schofield on a one-year contract for the 2007 season.

Schofield started the season with Suffolk in the minor counties league eventually earning himself a trial in the Surrey second team.

After a successful period he registered with Surrey in August, playing out the remainder of the season in the first team.

Surrey chairman of cricket, Roger Harman said: "Chris will not only be a great addition to the spin bowling department alongside Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi, but his ability with the bat and in the field will prove vital as the Club move up to division one cricket next year."

Schofield added: "I am obviously delighted and would like to thank Alan Butcher for giving me the opportunity to play regular first class cricket again and particularly in the fantastic surroundings of the Brit Oval."

"I found it refreshing how on more than one occasion this year Surrey selected three spinners in the starting line-up and as such I am very much looking forward to playing with Ian and Nayan as we start our Division One Championship campaign next year."

Schofield was given an England central contract in 2000 and played two Test Matches in the same year while in 2006 he played two Liverpool Victoria County Championship matches for Surrey, scoring 104 runs at 34.66 and taking eight wickets at 37.00.