I was a little bit upset about the amount Chris Schofield

Reports had suggested the 26-year-old, who has been unable to find another club after being released in September, could receive seven times the amount.

"I thought it could have been a bit more. I've had six months of hell and it's been very frustrating," he said.

"Hopefully no other player has to go through what I've been through."

He added: "Now I'm hoping it's all settled and counties can see I wasn't a trouble-maker, so I can get on the phone and talk to them and get back into county cricket."

The tribunal ruled last month that Lancashire did not follow proper procedure before releasing Schofield, who made two Test appearances against Zimbabwe in 2000.

And chief executive Jim Cumbes said: "We're disappointed with this compensation because it was found that [manager] Mike Watkinson had not dismissed him unfairly.

"I felt sorry for the tribunal because this was about cricket and it was clear there were certain things that weren't understood properly.

"It's just very sad that we have spent four days in court when we are talking about cricket here."

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Cricket has introduced an appraisal system to make players aware of their objectives and requirements - which was where Lancashire slipped up.

But Cumbes said he was "disappointed" the Professional Cricketsr Association had chosen to pursue the matter in the first place.

"There will need to be a bit of a cooling off period and then I think there will need to be a bit of bridge-building between ourselves and them.

"They have admitted we are a good employer and treat our players well and it gave us no pleasure at all to be critical of Chris in court."

PCA chief executive Richard Bevan made no apology for their action.

In a statement issued on his bahelf, he said: "As the collective and representative voice of first class cricketers in England and Wales, our job is to safeguard the rights of past, present and future first class cricketers.

"The favourable outcome of this case justifies our involvement and sends a message to all clubs in relation to best practice in employment matters."