By Jon Steer
July 27 2005

Andrew Pratt has decided to leave Durham County Cricket Club after ten years to pursue his career as a plumber. He had been in talks with the club after failing to break into the first team this season. Andrew had been tipped as one of the best young keepers on the circuit. Andrew Pratt has been kept out of the squad by some excellent performances from Phil Mustard who had been the first choice keeper for Durham throughout the season. Mustard may not be quite as good a keeper as Pratt but his batting has impressed on a number of outings this season.

Pratt has been juggling his club commitments eith higher education studies and has decided that he would rather concentrate full time on his studies and his new career as a plumber.

Pratt, now 30, made his first class debut with the club in 1997 and his one day debut in the following year. He played 62 first class matches during which he took 150 catches and made 12 stumpings. His made 10 half-centuries with a highest score of 93.

Pratt is not the only member of the squad who in the last year of their contract - Jon Lewis is also at the end of his contract and the veteran opener must be a little worried with a collarbone injury likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season.