CRICKET: England supersub Gary Pratt - the cricketer famous for one of the major turning-points in England landing the 2005 Ashes, has signed as a professional for Cumberland to play in the Minor Counties Championship.

The 25-year-old left-hand batsman and right-arm off-break bowler was released from his first-class contract with Durham last August.

Pratt is most famous for his run-out of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting during the crucial Fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

Pratt's direct hit from cover had an upset Ponting mouthing accusations towards the England team and coach Duncan Fletcher about the use of substitute fielders as he walked back to the pavilion.

England had been accused of using substitutes to rest bowlers but Pratt was, in fact, on the field for Simon Jones, who had been taken to hospital with an ankle injury.

Pratt made his first-class debut while still a member of the Durham Academy against Lancashire in 2000 aged just 18.

His best year at Durham came in 2003 when he scored 1,055 runs and his highest score is 150, achieved against Northamptonshire at the Riverside Ground in the same year.

His highest one-day score is 101 not out against Somerset at Taunton.

Steve Sharp, Cumberland's chairman of cricket, said: "I am pleased to announce the signing of Gary Pratt and hopefully he will bring considerable first-class experience and knowledge to the county.

"By playing Minor Counties cricket, Gary is putting himself in the shop window for First-Class counties to see."