Schofield guides Lancashire to 154 run win over Kent

Chris Schofield returned to form in a superb Lancashire win over Kent at Old Trafford today which kept them firmly in the hunt for their first outright title since 1934.

John Crawley's side completed a 154 runs victory after claiming the extra half hour of the third day, bowling out relegation haunted Kent for 125.

It earned Lancashire 16 points, putting behind them their recent troubles in one-day cricket, and Schofield celebrated his best all-round performance for the club.

The 21 years-old Schofield first took his overnight 22 to an unbeaten 70 as Lancashire battled their way from 110-7 to 198 all out. He put on precious runs with Gary Keedy and Mike Smethurst but broke Kent's hearts in a last wicket stand of 51 with Peter Martin.

There is no doubt that Schofield has batting talent. This season he had already notched up two half-centuries for Lancashire and one for England against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

But he also made a big contribution with the ball after Martin and Keedy had made early inroads into Kent's forlorn bid to reach a victory target of 280.

Lancashire captain John Crawley held him back until the score reached 70-4 but his introduction into the attack paid immediate dividends with three wickets in four balls - the last delivery of one over and the second and third of the next.

Min Patel foiled him of a hat-trick and resisted Lancashire for a further 70 balls. But Schofield had the final say when Patel miscued him to mid off to be last man out for 35, giving the leg-spinner 4-25.