Twenty20 fillip for Schofield

Chris Schofield has had great success in the Twenty20 Cup

Surrey all-rounder Chris Schofield has described his call-up to the provisional 30-man England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 as a "fresh start".

The 28-year-old was playing minor counties cricket for Suffolk this time last year and having trials with various counties’ second XIs before Surrey offered him a chance in the latter stages of the season.

But on Wednesday he was rewarded for his patience and hard work with a second chance in England colours.

Schofield was one of the first recipients of a central contract, in 2000, but has seen his career nosedive in the past seven years, culminating in an acrimonious split from Lancashire in 2004 and two years spent playing for Cheshire and Suffolk.

“Obviously it was fantastic to get a central contract eight years ago. But things are a little bit different now,” he told ecb.co.uk.

“I think it’s a fresh start for me, and the publicity I am getting is because I am doing well and possibly have the chance of playing again for England.”

Schofield is grateful to Surrey for showing some faith in him

It is a far cry from the dark days he experienced between 2004-06, when he spent time as a painter and decorator to earn a living, but he managed to get through and come out the other side, thanks to a great deal of determination.

“I look back on that and the enjoyment factor was still there,” the leg-spinner added. “I thought I had a lot to offer the game. I wanted to get back and represent a county at first-class level.

“It took me two years to find my way back. And I do thank Surrey for bringing me down to the Brit Oval and playing me.”

Schofield was initially signed on a one-year contract with Surrey but is currently in talks with the club regarding an extension to his time there.

“I’m looking forward to playing for Surrey for many years,” he said. “Having two years out of the game you think, ‘what are you going to do with your life’ and you’ve got to look at other avenues. With what happened at Lancashire, the carpet can be pulled out from under your feet as quickly as it was.

“With nothing else to fall back on, it’s very hard to get back to where you think you should be. Luckily I’ve got a second bite of the cherry.”

Schofield has been boosted by his selection in the provisional England squad, but does not want to look too far ahead this time.

Schofield has matured since making his debut for England

“We’ve got a few one-day games and a couple of championship games before the final 15 is selected," he said. "But just to be noticed that I am doing well and they do think there is an opportunity for me to represent England at Twenty20 level is a great start for me.”

The last time Schofield played for England, as a 21-year-old, there were various reports of him having an attitude problem and being cocky, but the new older Schofield is keen to ensure that does not happen again.

“I think I’ve grown up a lot more and matured over the years,” he admitted. “I was a bit young and naive when I first started. There was a bit of arrogance about my game.

“I probably rubbed up a lot of people the wrong way on the pitch, a little bit like Dominic Cork plays - on the pitch he is a bit arrogant trying to get people out. But if you meet Dominic Cork off the pitch, he is a lovely bloke. I think that’s what happened.

“And there were people relaying messages, a little a bit of Chinese whispers. People have said to Butch (Surrey captain Mark Butcher) ‘Chris, he’s a bit like this, a bit like that, make sure you are doing the right thing’. And he has turned around with an open mind, as all the club has, and found that I’m a down-to-earth guy.

"They have said 'he's been fantastic, he's not what people have said,' which is a good thing. Yes, I'm a northerner, unfortunately, but they've made me feel really welcome.

"I've had a great start to my new career, so to speak. I'm looking forward to doing really well for Surrey and that is pretty much my main objective. I've done all I can do."