Chris Schofield

Chris Schofield is an English cricketer who played Test and T20 internationals and is one of the few leg spinners to play cricket for England in the 21st century.

England’s desire of having a leg spinner in the squad meant that Schofield was fast-tracked in the squad in the early 2000s. 

He was a key member of the Lancashire squad for the 1999 domestic season, scalping 29 wickets at an average of just over 32. The selectors were impressed by his performance and he was awarded with ECB’s first batch of central contracts in 2000.

In May 2000, the leg spinner made his England debut in the first Test match against Zimbabwe at Lords. England won the match convincingly, but Schofield was not needed to bowl as the track was a seamer f. friendly one.

However, in the second Test match, Schofield scored a gritty 57 but failed to scalp a single wicket in the match.

Schofield had to wait for another 7 years before he was being recalled in the England squad ahead of the 2007 ICC World T20. He played 4 matches, but was rather unimpressive with the ball, registering just 4 wickets to his name at an economy of over 7.

Post the 2007 World T20, Schofield continued to play in the English domestic competition and represented Surrey till 2011 when he was released by the County side after they gained the promotion and won the Pro40.

Schofield could have been the Shane Warne of England had he been a little bit more consistent. The tall leg spinner was impressive in the domestic circuit but just couldn’t replicate that form at the international level.

(As of May 2021)