Call-up surprises Schofield

Chris Schofield enjoying his cricket with Surrey this season

You can listen to audio interview with Chris Schofield on ECBtv

Chris Schofield admitted he was shocked to be named in England’s provisional squad for the World Twenty20 tournament.

The leg-spinning all-rounder, who made two Test appearances against Zimbabwe in 2000, was included in a 30-man party for the inaugural competition in South Africa in September.

It represents a remarkable turnaround in the career of a player who was among the first to receive an England central contract, but was released by Lancashire in 2004 and forced to ply his trade on the minor counties circuit.

His performances for Cheshire and Suffolk won him a contract at Surrey, and his place in the England squad owes much to topping the Twenty20 Cup bowling charts this season, with 17 wickets at an average of less than nine apiece.

“I was very surprised but it is fantastic to be named,” Schofield said.

“I think over the last two years I have found my bowling again playing minor counties and bowling a lot of overs.

James Kirtley recalled the "dark days" after his call-up

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“I have found a bit of form since moving to the Oval and have taken a few wickets.

“I have been working pretty hard with (fellow leg-spinner) Ian Salisbury this year but the club have backed me 100 per cent and I have featured in virtually all one-day cricket this season,” he told Sky Sports News.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney added: “Chris has had a bit of a tough time and he has matured from that. It’s a fairytale, and the message is don’t give up.”

Sussex pace bowler James Kirtley, who has been recalled by England after a four-year absence, revealed he considered quitting the game in the wake of his ban for a suspect action.

“They were some of the darkest days I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m trying to put my problems behind me, trying to look forward and enjoying my time at Sussex.

“It’s nice to get recognition in one-day cricket, initially with the A tour going over to Bangladesh and now to be recognised in the provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup.

Mark Pettini was "over the moon" after hearing the news

“There are slightly different skills (in Twenty20) but it’s a game played in the mind and probably needs a bit of added experience - when to bowl a slower ball, when to change it up and how to bowl at different batsman.

“Those lessons can’t be learnt, but you hope that your experience in the game can take over.”

Essex captain Mark Pettini, named in an England squad for the first time, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon.

“Playing for England is something I’ve always dreamt of doing so being named in this provisional squad puts me in with a chance of going to South Africa. This is a very proud moment for me."

Another member of the party, 33-year-old Lancashire all-rounder Glen Chapple, said: “I didn’t even realise they were naming the squad today.

“So it was a bit of a surprise when I found out - but it’s very good news.”