CHRIS Schofield was back in Lancashire colours in Liverpool today with his England career on hold.

The 21-year-old Littleborough leg spinner suffered the first disappointment of his fledgling international career yesterday at Edgbaston when he was left out of the squad for the First Test against West Indies.

England preferred Glamorgan off spinner Robert Croft against the Windies' battery of left handers, led by Brian Lara.

It was bad luck for Schofield after he played no part in England's First Test victory over Zimbabwe, then scored a half century in the drawn second match at Trent Bridge.

But he still has the reassurance of a central contract which confirms that he is earmarked for a big part in England's future. For the moment Schofield has been sent back to develop his trade with Lancashire, starting with the four day first class friendly against the New Zealand A tourists.

He was looking to play a bigger part than in the Championship victory over Hampshire at Aigburth last week when he was out for a duck and did not get a bowl on a seaming pitch.

Lancashire were also without Mike Atherton, Andy Flintoff and the injured Peter Martin, and took the chance to give Neil Fairbrother, Warren Hegg and Glen Chapple a rest.

But they still fielded a strong team with skipper John Crawley and Graham Lloyd looking to get back into form, Sourav Ganguly returning from Asia Cup duty and Mike Smethurst aiming for more wickets.

There were also call ups for Paddy McKeown, Richard Green and wicket keeper Jamie Haynes.