CHRIS Schofield continued on the long road back to an England recall in Liverpool today.

The 21-year-old Lancashire leg spinner, who was released from the Test squad on Tuesday, had a long bowl against the New Zealand A tourists and picked up two wickets wicket.

But he was utdone this morning by pace ace Mike Smethurst, last year's Edenfield pro, who weighed in with seven wickets as the tourists were skittled for 194, leaving the possibility of Lancashire declaring and setting a target.

Schofield last night bamboozled Kiwi opener Mark Richardson in the flight and also came within inches of bowling Jarrod Englefield around his legs before the tourists resumed on 154-3 in reply to Lancashire's 352-5 declared.

"It was a big disappointment to be left out," Schofield said of the sudden halt to his England career. "Good luck to Robert Croft, he's been out of contention for over 12 months.

"But I will be on his shoulder and still trying to do my best to get back in the side. I haven't bowled on many helpful pitches this year apart from a couple at Old Trafford. It's all about getting plenty of bowling."

Schofield was finally able to do that yesterday when play resumed soon after lunch as Lancashire captain John Crawley declared after more rain delays. Mike Smethurst had NZ in early trouble last night and again this morning when Glen Sulzberger was his third victim. LANCASHIRE -- first innings 352-5 dec

NEW ZEALAND A -- first innings

J Marhall lbw Smethurst...0

M Richardson b Schofield...47

M Papps c Chilton b Smethurst...18

G Sulzberger c lloyd b Smethurst...60

J Englefield c and b keedy...10

Styris b Smethurst...13

Croy c Green b Smethurst...13

Canning b Smethuirst...0

Walker c Haynes b Smethurst...4

Tuffey not out...4

Martin c Lloyd b Schofield...2

Extras...23

Total (all out, 77.2 overs)...194