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
Colin Evans
19-Aug-2000
Peter Martin - 5-42 in 1st innings Photo © John Dawson |
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.