All-rounder Graham Napier has given his first interview since landing in India to compete in the IPL.

The Mumbai Indians player spoke to his website (www.grahamnapier.com) about his decision to commit to the tournament – after speculation that overseas players might not compete due to security concerns – and his omission from the provisional 30-man England squad for the upcoming World Twenty20 in the West Indies. 

www.grahamnapier.com: There has been a lot of speculation as to your departure date for the IPL, owing to the security issue – why did you decide to arrive on Tuesday?

Graham Napier: I was always scheduled to come on this date and it was just a case of the PCA [Professional Cricketers’ Association] working hard to get assurances from the IPL in terms of security. Having been involved with the Mumbai Indians last year I know the level of security they had out in South Africa [when the tournament was moved]. I felt comfortable the security would be at a high enough level to accommodate us here [in India].

www.grahamnapier.com: What did you do on your first day in India and what is the plan over the next few days?

Graham Napier: Today was a day for me to acclimatise before we have a couple of matches amongst ourselves scheduled for the next couple of days. I’m the first overseas player to arrive [for Mumbai Indians] so this is my chance to impress ahead of the tournament.

www.grahamnapier.com: The provisional 30-man England squad for the World Twenty20 was announced yesterday. Having made the final squad for the last tournament and as the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket [88], as well as having hit the most sixes in a Twenty20 innings [16 for Essex against Sussex in 2008] it must be a big disappointment not to have even made the initial squad?

Graham Napier: I’m deeply disappointed not to be involved in the 30-man squad, having played well in Twenty20 cricket over the winter [for Central Districts in New Zealand]. I am currently the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket and have the ability to take the attack to the opposition with the bat if required. I feel Twenty20 is a form of the game that suits me well and the more experience I’ve gained in it the more effective I have become.

www.grahamnapier.com: Do you see the IPL as an opportunity to prove the selectors wrong or at least push your claims for selection in the future?

Graham Napier: There is an opportunity for me over the next few weeks – as one of only eight English players involved in the IPL – to show the England selectors what they are missing out on.

But my job now is to focus on being as good a player I can be for Mumbai Indians, Essex and Central Districts. I have always been told that if you work hard you get your rewards so I need to keep doing that.

Graham Napier will be writing a regular blog from India for www.grahamnapier.com during his stay with the Mumbai Indians.

www.grahamnapier.com is part of the Cricket Heroes website brand (launching soon on www.cricketheroes.co.uk).

(All media are requested to source the relevant website if using any quotes).
For more information on these websites please contact Greg Lansdowne (07960 901649 or email: greg.lansdowne@btopenworld.com)

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has arrived in India as he starts his preparations for the Indian Premier League.

Security concerns delayed his departure until Monday (March 1) afternoon but further reassurances over the safety of the players during the tournament have now enabled the 30-year-old to join up with the Mumbai Indians.

As the leading wicket-taker in professional Twenty20 cricket, Napier will be looking to press his claims for a regular place in the Indians side over the remainder of their pre-season training programme.

Mumbai start their campaign on Saturday March 13 with a home fixture against Rajasthan Royals.

Having already helped New Zealand state team Central Districts to reach the Champions League, Napier will have further opportunities to qualify for the tournament with the Indians and, later in the year, Essex Eagles.

Check back later today to www.grahamnapier.com when Graham will be talking about the deliberations that led to his eventual departure for India and his desire to prove the England selectors wrong after his omission from the provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20.       

www.grahamnapier.com is part of the Cricket Heroes website brand (launching soon on www.cricketheroes.co.uk).

(All media are requested to source the relevant website if using any quotes).
For more information on these websites please contact Greg Lansdowne (07960 901649 or email: greg.lansdowne@btopenworld.com

Essex and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Graham Napier has provided an update on his upcoming participation in the Indian Premier League.

Security concerns are threatening to force the upcoming tournament away from India, with security experts currently advising players on safety issues.

Napier told his official website (www.grahamnapier.com):
“I am still waiting on a security report to come through at the moment. Once I’ve digested that I will wait to see what the ECB recommends for its players. Obviously I hope it will be possible to play in the IPL come March, as planned.”

Meanwhile, Napier has also clarified his situation with regards to competing in September’s Champions League.

The 30-year-old has already qualified for the Twenty20 competition after helping New Zealand side Central Districts win their domestic HRV Cup.

Napier has two further opportunities to reach the Champions League with Mumbai Indians, through the IPL, and Essex Eagles via the Friends Provident t20.  
   
However, the recent announcement of the dates of the competition means it will clash with the last fortnight of the English County season.

Napier has revealed the latest news on his potential availability to his qualifying team, should Essex not progress.

He told www.grahamnapier.com
“As it stands, I am contracted to Essex, so that’s where I would play my cricket [if they needed me] unless they changed their position.

“Playing in the Champions League would be a great opportunity to play against the best domestic Twenty20 teams in the world so I hope the ECB and BCCI can come to a positive conclusion to allow the successful counties to compete, along with those English players who have qualified through other routes.

“Of course, the best-case scenario would be for Essex to qualify, and be cleared to play in, the Champions League. We have proved ourselves to be one of the best T20 sides in the country, when we can call upon our full-strength line-up, so there is no reason why we can’t do well in the Twenty20 tournament this summer.”

A further IPL update will appear on www.grahamnapier.com soon.     

Graham Napier’s Central Districts won the HRV Cup Final against Ravi Bopara’s Auckland on Sunday, January 31.

Napier’s men completed a comfortable 78-run victory at New Plymouth after posting an imposing 206-6.

The Essex all-rounder then produced a devastating opening burst with the ball to help reduce Auckland to 9-4.

In the process of his three-over spell of 2-17, Napier bowled his county colleague Bopara for three.

Napier’s two wickets now mean he is the outright leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket history with 88 – two ahead of Yasir Arafat.

Graham’s reaction to the Final victory will appear on www.grahamnapier.com on Monday.

Graham Napier took three wickets to help Central Districts into the HRV Cup Final, where they will meet Ravi Bopara’s Auckland on Sunday.

The Essex county colleagues both endured nail-biting final group encounters on Tuesday, with Central Districts winning by four wickets with three balls to spare against Northern Districts while Auckland lost to Otago in a one-over eliminator after a tie.

Auckland still went through to the final by virtue of net run-rate but lost the right to home advantage as a result of their defeat.

Napier took 3-33 for CD to restrict Northern Districts to 148-9 in a winner-takes-all encounter at Hamilton.
Rain then reduced the target to 95 off 12 overs, with Napier run out for 2 in the penultimate over in a dramatic victory chase.

On a personal note, his three victims now take him level with Yasir Arafat on 86 as the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket.

Pakistan quick bowler Arafat added two wickets to his tally for Otago on Tuesday but Napier now has the field to himself in an attempt to move into the lead in Sunday’s final at New Plymouth.

Napier is relishing the prospect of coming up against Essex team-mate Bopara in New Zealand’s domestic showpiece.

He told his official website (www.grahamnapier.com):
“We’ve faced each other three times out here so far but we haven’t had many direct contests up to now – perhaps that is being left for the last ball of the final?! Ravi won the [50-over] one-day match for his side with a century and they also won both Twenty20 group games with Ravi bowling well at the end to win the second. Hopefully we are due a win against them in the final but it is up to us to take the disciplines that have got us this far into that match.

“We grabbed a bite to eat after that last group meeting to compare our lifestyles out here. Playing for CD is a little different because we don’t have one permanent base as a home ground so are always on the road, spending no more than a week in one spot. That does ensure that things stay fresh for us and we are hoping that the supporters in New Plymouth can whip up a good atmosphere.”  

More details on the HRV Cup Final between Central Districts and Auckland, to be played on Sunday January 31, will appear on www.grahamnapier.com before and after the match.
Meanwhile, check out www.bighittermag.com later this week for a planned interview with Ravi Bopara ahead of the match.

www.grahamnapier.com is part of the Cricket Heroes website brand (launching soon on www.cricketheroes.co.uk).
(All media are requested to source the relevant website if using any quotes).
For more information on these websites please contact Greg Lansdowne on 07960 901649 or email: greg.lansdowne@btopenworld.com

Graham Napier has his sights on achieving success on both a team and personal level this week.

The all-rounder is preparing for Tuesday’s final round of group matches in the HRV Cup (New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 competition) in the knowledge that victory for his Central Districts side will earn them a place in the final.

Central Districts lie second, behind Auckland on net run-rate, with Northern Districts and Otago also still vying for a spot in the final going into tomorrow’s concluding programme.

CD take on Northern Districts at Hamilton while Auckland host Otago, meaning the winners of each clash are almost certain to face off in the final – although Auckland could still sneak through on run-rate with a narrow loss.
Napier has been one of his team’s key performers thus far with 13 wickets in nine matches. As a result, the Essex player could become the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket with another sizeable haul on Tuesday.
Napier’s overall record in 20-over cricket for Essex, Mumbai Indians in the IPL along with Wellington and CD in New Zealand state cricket stands at 83 victims in 64 matches.

Only Yasir Arafat and Tyron Henderson have more career wickets at 84 apiece.

Pakistani quick bowler Arafat is also performing in the HRV Cup, for Otago, so there is a lot at stake over the next 24 hours, with an extra game in the final still in the offing for both players.
        
Although helping CD into Sunday’s final is uppermost in his thoughts, Napier can be forgiven for also having a personal milestone in mind this week.

He told his official website (www.grahamnapier.com):
“I hadn’t realised until they brought it out on TV over here as a stat. It’s a bit of recognition for me and shows that I have been a consistent performer over the years. Those wickets are reward for the hard work I have put into practising my skills as both an attacking bowler up front and then as a death bowler at the end with yorkers and slower balls.”   

While Napier is still best-known for a batting performance – his 152 not out off 58 balls against Sussex Sharks in the Twenty20 Cup in 2008 – it has been his consistency as a bowler that has been even more vital to his teams. 
“Over the years I have batted in various positions and been utilised in different ways with the bat,” he said. “But with the ball I have been a constant at the start and end of innings and I’ve been able to grow into that role as a result.”

Napier was part of the England squad for the World Twenty20 last summer but did not make an appearance. The Colchester-born player is hoping his subsequent efforts will once again catch the attention ahead of the next World Twenty20 in West Indies this April and May.
“I would like to think the selectors are keeping an eye on what Owais Shah [Wellington] and Ravi Bopara [Auckland] are doing over here, as well as myself, in the build-up to the World Twenty20.

“It was levelled at me before the last World Twenty20 that I didn’t have enough experience, but I’ve played in over 60 Twenty20 matches in England, New Zealand and India so don’t think that is the case.”  

Napier is hoping to finish off his stint in New Zealand by steering CD to one-day glory in both the Twenty20 and 50-over formats. Attention turns to the one-day competition again next week as CD bid to cement their place in the top four to seal a semi-final spot.

The 30-year-old has already produced one match-winning innings in the 50-over tournament (73 from 29 balls against Northern Districts) and is looking for a strong finish in all disciplines.

“I’ve been very happy with the way I’ve bowled in both one-day competitions and have had one good performance with the bat as well as a few cameos. Hopefully both myself and the team can finish off the one-day season in style over the next few weeks.”   

Details of the HRV Cup match between Northern Districts and Central Districts on Tuesday January 26 will appear on www.grahamnapier.com soon after the match.
www.grahamnapier.com is part of the Cricket Heroes website brand (launching soon on www.cricketheroes.co.uk).

(All media are requested to source the relevant website if using any quotes).

For more information on these websites please contact Greg Lansdowne on 07960 901649 or email: greg.lansdowne@btopenworld.com)

Essex’s Graham Napier is to begin his spell with New Zealand state team Central Districts a fortnight earlier than originally planned.

The 29-year-old was due to leave on Boxing Day but will now fly out this Thursday (December 10) with his destination, coincidentally, Napier.

The all-rounder represented Wellington over the previous two seasons of New Zealand domestic cricket and is set to make his CD debut against his former team on December 17, in the 50-over one-day competition.

Having been part of the England squad for last summer’s World Twenty20, Napier is hoping some good performances for CD and in the IPL for Mumbai Indians will earn him a return to the international set-up.   

“I see the next four months as being hugely important as far as my chances of breaking back into the England Twenty20 squad go,” Napier told his website (www.grahamnapier.com). “There is a World Twenty20 tournament in May [in the West Indies] and I want to be part of that. There are eight England players currently contracted to the IPL so I must be regarded highly out in India. Now I want to be recognised again by England and will put in as much work as I possibly can to achieve something I’ve striven for my entire career – to play for the full England team in a competitive international.”

Essex’s Graham Napier has signed for New Zealand state side Central Districts to represent them over the winter.

The all-rounder, who appeared for rival club Wellington during the previous two campaigns, will play for CD in the domestic 50-over and 20-over competitions.

Napier told his official website (www.grahamnapier.com):
“I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity by Central Districts and am looking forward to playing under [coach] Dermot Reeve. There is also the exciting prospect of playing alongside [New Zealand internationals] Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor – both of whom are prominent international players in all forms of the game – who will be available for the Twenty20 matches.”

The 29-year-old was named in England’s World Twenty20 squad earlier this summer but was not picked for any of the team’s matches before they made an early exit. Napier is hoping a good campaign abroad can nudge the selectors once more.
 
He said: “I’m not in the frame right now but am determined to keep going out to play and maintain a good level of performance with the intention of making it to the highest level at some point. It’s a great bonus for me to be wanted by an overseas team during the winter because it gives a feeling of being wanted and good enough to perform at that level.”

Napier will depart for New Zealand on December 26, following a three-month break from the game once the English season ends for Essex with a NatWest Pro40 match at Yorkshire on September 27.

During that time he will be taking part in the ‘Three-Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for the PCA Benevolent Fund (more on that will appear shortly on his website). 

CLICK HERE to read Graham's reflections on his county season on and you can also follow his exploits in New Zealand over the winterby visiting www.grahamnapier.com.

Graham Napier spoke exclusively to his website about his England call-up and IPL debut.

The Essex all-rounder arrived home on Saturday morning and gave his first reaction to being named in England’s World Twenty20 squad to www.grahamnapier.com

On what has been a hectic 24 hours for the Colchester-born player, he also reflected on his first appearance in the Indian Premier League – during which he helped the Mumbai Indians to victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in East London.

From there it was back to England on Saturday morning ahead of his first Essex outing of the season – against Glamorgan at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Napier found time to check in with his website shortly after landing: 

www.grahamnapier.com: You’ve been in provisional squads and ‘A’ squads but this is your first ‘proper’ call-up to a full England squad – is this the fulfillment of all your cricketing ambitions?

Graham Napier: When I first set my heart on playing for England there wasn’t the option of a Twenty20 squad to think about. Since that format came around I felt it was a game that suited me and was one where I could do well in. This selection is the opportunity I’ve been looking for after all the hard work I’ve been put in.  

www.grahamnapier.com: Do you feel your life has been a bit of a whirlwind since your 152 (with everything that has happened to you)?

Graham Napier: Everything has happened very quickly; the last year has whizzed by in terms of where I’m going with my cricket. This selection [for the England Twenty20 squad] has capped off all I’ve been working towards. But the really hard work begins now.

www.grahamnapier.com: When did you find out?

Graham Napier: I got a phone call from the selectors on Thursday evening to notify me I would be in the squad. Around about the same time I was told there was a possibility that I would play for Mumbai Indians the next day, which made for a very nervous evening. I didn’t sleep well at all that night.

www.grahamnapier.com: You did get selected for Mumbai Indians (to play against Kolkata Knight Riders) on Friday. Had you not played would you have left South Africa disappointed (having not played in an IPL game)?

Graham Napier: Even if I hadn’t played it would have been worthwhile as I got to train and play with some of the best cricketers in the world for a month. When you mix with people like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Harbhajan Singh, JP Duminy and Lasith Malinga you can only learn new things and get better.  

www.grahamnapier.com: Talk me through your IPL debut.

Graham Napier: I was quite nervous, which is not normal for me. I felt like a young lad again, playing for Essex in 1997 in a new side at a top level. It did bring back a lot of memories of that time. It wasn’t my most spectacular performance but I feel I made an important contribution and was satisfied with the win. I was just about to explode with the bat when I got out but felt that I bowled well.     

www.grahamnapier.com: Is your Twenty20 call-up a little sweeter for the fact that two Essex team-mates (James Foster and Ravi Bopara) are in there?

Graham Napier: Definitely. Unfortunately it weakens Essex during that time but it will be nice to see some friendly faces in the England ranks. I’ve never been part of the England set-up before so it will be good to be able to call upon the experience of two county team-mates who can guide and help me through. Having three Essex players in the squad is testament to the youth system at the county over the last 10-15 years.

www.grahamnapier.com: Your partnership with James Foster was integral in Essex’s success last year so are you looking forward to reproducing it on the big stage?

Graham Napier: Fozzie knows how I bowl and I know how he keeps. If we get to bat together there will also be a familiarity there that will make us more relaxed and comfortable.

www.grahamnapier.com: England’s opening match is against the Netherlands – so presumably you’ll be having some fun with Ryan ten Doeschate (Essex’s Dutch international) over the next month?

Graham Napier: There will be a bit of banter and I’m sure we’ll all gang up on him! But I’m just as certain that Ryan will thrive on that as he loves the big games. There isn’t much bigger than playing in the opening World Twenty20 game at Lord’s so all the Essex boys will be desperate to make that team to face ‘Tendo’.

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has been selected in England’s squad for the ICC World Twenty20.

The 29-year-old has been rewarded for his consistent form with the ball and explosive batting over the last 12 months.

As well as playing a major role for Essex during their double-success of winning the Friends Provident Trophy and NatWest Pro40 Division Two in 2008, the Colchester-born player had an outstanding winter in New Zealand for Wellington.

Napier’s exploits resulted in a call-up to the England Lions squad in March and subsequent inclusion in England’s provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20.

Today (Friday May 1) proved to be a double cause for celebration for Napier as he was handed his Indian Premier League debut for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders in East London.

Visit Graham Napier’s official website (www.grahamnapier.com) later today for an exclusive interview with the all-rounder on his inclusion in the England World Twenty20 squad and his IPL debut.  
www.grahamnapier.com is part of the Cricket Heroes website brand (launching soon on www.cricketheroes.co.uk).

Graham Napier has given the thumps up to the appointment of Andy Flower as England team director.

Napier played with the Zimbabwean from 2002 until the left-hander’s retirement at the start of the 2007 season to take up an assistant coach role under Peter Moores’ England regime.

The Essex all-rounder, who is hoping to catch the eye of Flower during the IPL ahead of the announcement of England’s ICC World Twenty20 squad on May 1, told www.grahamnapier.com that his former county colleague is up to succeeding in a difficult job:     

“It’s great for Andy that he’s been given this full-time role and means the ECB back him to do the job following on from Peter Moores.

“There can’t be many tougher jobs than managing the England team in any of the major sports, such is the pressure put on them by the media. But there can be few more dedicated people in cricket to handle such a task.

“Andy was a great overseas (and then ‘English’) player at Essex. His experience of world cricket and ability to play spin bowling meant he was brilliant to have in the side. It would be impossible not to learn from such a vastly experienced cricketer so I’m sure the England guys will benefit us much as we did.” 

Graham Napier has agreed a two-year contract extension with Essex County Cricket Club that will take him up to the end of the 2011 season.

He said: “I am delighted to be with Essex now until the end of the 2011 season. It is a great honour for me to play for Essex. This new contract will bring my time at Essex up to nearly 14 years.”

Such was Graham’s progress over the last year that he has now been able to cement his long-term future with Essex after a number of seasons dogged by injury.  

“Going into last season I would have been doubtful that Essex would have offered me a new contract,” Napier conceded. “It is a real pleasure to be involved with the club for a further three seasons.”

Graham departed for South Africa on Sunday (April 5) to join up with the Mumbai Indians squad ahead of the Indian Premier League, which begins on April 18.

The all-rounder will be part of their squad for the opening fortnight of matches before making his return to Essex in time for the Friends Provident Trophy match with Glamorgan at The Ford County Ground on May 3.

Having today (April 6) been named in England’s provisional 30-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20, Graham is now hoping to boost his claims for selection with some impressive one-day displays over the coming weeks.

You can follow Graham’s progress with the Mumbai Indians via his regular diary entries on his website at www.grahamnapier.com

Graham profiles some of his new team-mates – including captain Sachin Tendulkar - in a special feature now on the website in the item below, Mumbai Indians Focus.

Graham Napier gives his thoughts on some of his Mumbai Indians team-mates ahead of the Indian Premier League;

Sachin Tendulkar – Millions of cricketers – amateur or professional – would love to get the chance to play alongside Sachin Tendulkar. I have that opportunity so am looking forward to it immensely. He IS cricket in India. Just to have the chance to speak to him and understand his way of thinking is a great life experience.

Sanath Jayasuriya – A classy player who has performed over a long period of time for Sri Lanka. Sanath has a flamboyant style and he will be another who will be good to see how they go about their cricket.

JP Duminy – I saw a lot of him over the winter as they showed the South Africa v Australia matches on TV in New Zealand. He looks a class player and is one of the up and coming batsmen in world cricket. He is just the type of player you need to win the IPL.

Harbhajan Singh – His experience and ability to spin the ball both ways will be brilliant for us in the middle overs of the innings to peg an innings back.

Zaheer Khan – is the world’s best left-armer and one of the cleverest bowlers in the game. His ability to bowl swing, reverse swing and his changes of pace will make him invaluable to the Mumbai Indians. I’ll make sure I get the chance to speak to him to try to add something to my own game.

Lasith Malinga – Along with his compatriot – Dilhara Fernando – our Sri Lankan pace duo add significantly to the overall strength of our bowling attack. Malinga’s spearing yorkers are perfectly suited to the one-day game.      

Shaun Pollock (Mumbai Indians Coach) - Shaun is a world-renowned all-rounder who had a fantastic career for South Africa. He is now part of the Mumbai Indians coaching set-up – after playing for the team last year – so it will be great to get some advice from him. It would nice to think his knowledge of Twenty20 and limited-overs cricket in general can help me push on my own career to international honours with England.

Mumbai Indians Squad
Sachin Tendulkar (Captain), Abhishek Nayar, Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Singh, Ashraf Makda, Atul Sharma, Chetanya Nanda, Dhawal Kulkarni, Dilhara Fernando, Dwayne Bravo, Gajendra Singh, Graham Napier, Harbhajan Singh, Jaydev Shah, Jean-Paul Duminy, Kamran Khan, Kyle Mills, Lasith Malinga, Luke Ronchi, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammed Arif, Paul Valthaty, Pinal Shah, Rahil Shaikh, Raiphi Gomez, Rohan Raje, Ryan McLaren, Sanath Jayasuriya, Saurabh Tiwary, Shikhar Dhawan, Srideep Mangela, Yogesh Takawale, Zaheer Khan.

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier is eagerly anticipating his call to join up with the Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League, now that the tournament has been moved to South Africa.

Napier, who has just returned to England after a winter in New Zealand with the Wellington state side and the England Lions, is keen to begin his next cricketing adventure overseas.

The 29-year-old all-rounder has agreed to join the Mumbai Indians but the franchise and his county, Essex, are still to agree on the period of time he will remain in South Africa.

Although the start of the IPL has been put back to April 18, it seems likely that Napier’s return to England will be short-lived.

The Colchester-born player is hugely excited at the prospect of joining up with his new team-mates:

Napier told his website – www.grahamnapier.com – on Wednesday morning:

“Firstly I’m disappointed the IPL won’t be in India. It would have been a great experience in front of the Indian fans, who are renowned for being fantastic cricket supporters. However, I do realise it has to be moved for security reasons so South Africa will also be a very exciting experience.

“I have played out there before [for England in the Under-19 World Cup and pre-season with Essex] so am looking forward to returning soon. South Africa did seem the better option [as opposed to England] at this time of year because the weather is a lot warmer and more predictable. There is always the chance of April showers back here as well as there being a massive difference in the pitches and conditions between South Africa and England at the moment. It’s the end of their cricketing summer in South Africa so they are all ready to go. They are also good supporters of cricket so I’m sure it will be well-attended and well-organised.”

For now, though, it’s a test of patience for Napier.

“As it stands I am now just waiting for the call from the Mumbai Indians with details of when and where I need to go. Up to that point I will be training back here – not too far away from a phone!”

Check out Graham Napier’s latest diary entry later today on www.grahamnapier.com and you can follow Graham during the IPL and throughout the summer with Essex on his website. 

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has spoken to his website of his delight at being drafted into the England Lions squad for their forthcoming one-day series against New Zealand A.

The 29-year-old had been expected to return to England after recently completing an outstanding few months of state cricket for Wellington.

With a number of the Lions selection now required by the senior England squad in West Indies, however, there was an unexpected, if much-deserved, call-up for the Colchester-born player.

Napier told www.grahamnapier.com he is relishing another chance to impress the England selectors, five years after his first England Lions tour to Malaysia and India in 2004:

“Not many players would get a second opportunity at this stage in their career but I think the whole reason I have got to this point again has been that I’ve not given England much thought over the last couple of years. Perhaps the thought of wanting to break into the full England side began to distract me a few years back so I decided to just relax and have fun in the middle.

“It’s got me back to this point so now it’s up to me to make the most of this second chance.”
The Lions will face New Zealand A in two one-day matches and one Twenty20 fixture, starting on March 13.

Essex’s Graham Napier finished his stay with New Zealand state side Wellington by cementing his position at the head of the domestic MVP (Most Valuable Player) Points Table.

The all-rounder claimed two wickets and scored a quickfire 20 to help the Firebirds to victory in their final Twenty20 match against Northern Districts on Sunday, February 22.

Napier has forged a 62-point cushion ahead of his nearest rival – Ewan Thompson of Central Stags – due, in the main, to an outstanding campaign with the ball.

The 29-year-old was joint leading wicket-taker in the State Twenty20 (prior to the Final), second-highest wicket-taker in the State Shield (50-over tournament) and second-highest wicket-taker in the State Championship (four-day competition) at the midway point.  

Napier, speaking to his website – www.grahamnapier.com – said:

“I’m very pleased to have a 60-point lead in the MVP (Most Valuable Player) rankings as a finishing point to my season with the Wellington Firebirds. My success has been predominantly due to my efforts with the ball in all competitions. Confidence breeds confidence in cricket and I know exactly what I want to bowl with every ball – and seem to be achieving it most of the time. Using the knowledge and experience I have gained over more than a decade in professional cricket is clearly bringing its rewards.

“My batting has not been up to where I want it to be but I felt I was finding my form towards the end of the Twenty20 competition, which is a good sign for things to come. Perhaps I’ve been a little impatient with my batting – expecting everything to happen at once. There is more time than you think – even in Twenty20 cricket – and my attempts to dominate too early were not coming off. The key for the future is to give myself a little more time.”

Napier’s average points haul per match of 15.69 leaves him in sixth place in that particular table, although of those above him only team-mate James Franklin has amassed more than 100 points in total (257 to Napier’s 329).

The Englishman’s chances of staying top of the overall table are slim, with up to five more games remaining for some of his rivals.  

Nevertheless, Napier can be delighted with his efforts down under ahead of his next overseas adventures in the Emirates (on Essex’s pre-season tour) and India (Indian Premier League).

Click here for the latest MVP ratings:

http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic/mvp/points-table.aspx

Napier’s world record-breaking Twenty20 innings – when he hit 16 sixes in his 152 not out from 58 balls – set the ball rolling for a succession of breathtaking innings in front of the TV cameras.

Amongst those watching at home was legend Sir Elton John, who just happened to be listed on Napier’s Sky Sports profile as the cricketer’s favourite singer.

Just a week after his explosive knock against the Sussex Sharks a call was fielded by Napier from Essex County Cricket Club. It transpired that Sir Elton’s agent had asked if he could acquire Napier’s number to pass onto the singer as he wanted to congratulate the big hitter on his efforts.

Napier said:   

“It was a pleasant surprise to receive a call from Sir Elton John and to learn that he’d enjoyed watching my recent innings on television – especially as I’m a big fan of his music. It was clear that he knew his cricket and he also raved about the performances of our wicketkeeper James Foster, who he thought should be playing England. I’ve enjoyed quite a few unique experiences over the last few weeks but this has to be up there near the top!”

grahamnapier.com is back after a season away, during which time Graham has made great strides as an all-round cricketer.

There can be few reading this news release who won’t be aware of Graham’s recent achievements on the cricket field. But, for posterity, a golden period of big-hitting and penetrative bowling reached its zenith – so far – on Tuesday 24 June, 2008.

On that day, Essex Eagles took on Sussex Sharks in the Twenty20 Cup with Graham having shown good early intent with the bat in previous group games. Nobody present at The Ford County Ground Ground – or watching on television – could quite have been prepared for what was to follow, however.

Graham proceeded to smash the Sussex attack to all corners of the Chelmsford arena in an innings of 152 not out off just 58 balls. Although that total was the highest ever recorded in the Twenty20 Cup it was the hitting of 16 sixes – the most ever achieved in a Twenty20 innings and the joint highest in any first-class game of cricket – that most caught the eye.

Graham has continued to strike the ball over the boundary on a regular basis over the weeks that have followed to put him top of the ‘Sky Sports Sixes League’ by quite some distance.

It’s not just been with the bat where Graham has played a significant role in helping Essex to reach Twenty20 Cup Finals Day and the Friends Provident Trophy. An uncanny ability to remove key opposing batsmen at the top of the order has been vital in getting the Eagles off to a flying start with the ball.      

Of course, grahamnapier.com has always been about much more than the cricket as Graham is an all-rounder in every sense of the word.

Graham has developed a keen interest in photography over the last few years and you will be able to see examples of his work in the weeks to come. Always willing to try something different, you can also read about Graham’s trek to Everest Base Camp last winter – during which he helped to break another record when he played a game of cricket at the highest ever recorded altitude. 

You can keep up-to-date with everything going on in Graham’s world in his regular Diary on grahamnapier.com over the coming months, starting later this week as he looks forward to Saturday’s Twenty20 Cup Finals Day at the Rose Bowl.