CHRIS Schofield and Jamie Haynes have been released by Lancashire as the clear out continues at Old Trafford following a poor season.

Schofield, who played two Tests for England in 2000, struggled to get a regular first team spot in the Championship but did feature in one-day cricket.

Mike Watkinson says the time was right for Schofield to move on: "Chris is an extremely talented cricketer who has perhaps not reached his full potential at the club.

"We feel it is an appropriate stage in his career for him to seek pastures new and play more regular first team cricket. This will, in turn, create chances for emerging spin bowling all rounders within the club."

Schofield said: "If I had been offered a one-year contract I would have signed it. I'm a local lad and Lancashire is the county I want to play for."

Haynes has been the regular understudy to Warren Hegg but the club have signed 20-year-old Leigh wicketkeeper Gareth Cross who has been playing second team cricket.

"Jamie has been a tremendous servant to the club and a more than capable understudy to Warren Hegg," said Watkinson.

"His support for people around him was second to none, however we feel the time is right to open opportunities for a younger keeper on our staff."

Hegg has signed a new one-year deal but no decision has yet been made on the captaincy.

Andrew Crook, Steven Croft and Simon Marshall are the other new players on the staff while Paul Horton, Tim Rees and Oliver Newby have also agreed new deals.