DURHAM'S Gary Pratt desperately wants to get his career back on track after being inspired by his involvement with the England team.

But he still isn't certain of his future with Durham, saying: "I'm involved in contract talks at the moment."

He is out of contract at the end of the season and Durham are believed to have offered him only a one-year deal after leaving him out of their championship side all season.

"I don't think anything has gone particularly wrong and I have never felt out of form. I probably just lack a bit of confidence," he said.

"But the first time I was involved with England at Headingley last year I knew that was where I wanted to be.

"The atmosphere and the banter with the guys is fantastic.

"I haven't had the opportunities to prove myself recently. I'm just trying to take my chances in the one-day game."

The 23-year-old left-handed batsman joined the England players in their Ashes celebrations after featuring strongly as a substitute fielder in the last two Tests.

He was Durham's Player of the Year in 2003 when he scored 949 championship runs and topped the averages in the one-day league with 510 runs at 42.5.

But he has appeared in only a handful of one-day games this year.

Pratt sparked a row over the use of substitutes when he ran out Ricky Ponting in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

"It surprised me, but I didn't know what had gone on beforehand," he said.

"I had a beer with Ricky on Monday night and everything was fine."

The day after his Trent Bridge heroics Pratt was summoned back to Chester-le-Street, but had to settle for 12th man duties in the totesport League match against Scotland.

In Collingwood's absence he played against Yorkshire at Headingley last Sunday, making 38 not out in a seven-wicket win.

He then returned to the Oval for the final day, when his main task was carrying out replacement bats for Kevin Pietersen.

He was at the front of the open-top bus on Tuesday and said: "It's been pretty special.

"There were people everywhere and it certainly beats the crowds at Durham. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and it's something I'll never forget."