Schofield will look for pastures new

Warren Hegg has signed a new deal at Old Trafford but has not yet been confirmed as captain for next season.

Four new players are joining the staff: Steven Croft, Andrew Crook, Gareth Cross and Simon Marshall.

Lancashire were relegated to Division Two of the County Championship although they finished runners-up in the one-day Totesport League.

Cricket manager Mike Watkinson said of Schofield: "Chris is an extremely talented cricketer who has perhaps not reached his full potential at the club.

"We feel it is an appropriate stage in his career for him to seek pastures new and play more regular first team cricket.

"This will in turn create chances for emerging spin bowling all-rounders within the club."

Schofield, who is 26 next week, was singled out as a future Test star and handed a central contract in 2000.

But his international career ended after he went wicketless in two Tests against Zimbabwe and he has played for Lancashire as a back-up batsman this year.

Croft, 19, has signed from Blackpool and is a batting all-rounder, while Crook, the brother of Lancashire pace bowler Steven, can bat in the top order and bowl off-spin.

Cross, from Bury, is a wicket-keeper middle-order batsman and Marshall is a leg-spinner who bats.