Napier helps Essex get off to a flyer (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Napier helps Essex get off to a flyer

10:06am Thursday 17th July 2008 in

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ANOTHER impressive all-round display from Graham Napier helped Essex get their NatWest Pro40 campaign off to a flyer as they defeated Darren Gough's Yorkshire side by five wickets.

A superb team effort with the ball reduced the visitors to just 157 with Napier taking two wickets, before he struck a quickfire 46 at number three as the batsmen knocked off the runs with seven overs to spare.

Former Essex captain Gough won the toss for Yorkshire, but his decision to bat first quickly backfired as opening bowlers David Masters and Napier found instant success.

Napier appears incapable of having a quiet game these days, and he was once again amongst the wickets as early as the third ball of the innings, as he found the edge of Andrew Gale's bat and keeper Foster made no mistake.

Masters then trapped Gerard Brophy in front in his first over, before Napier struck again, removing Anthony McGrath with the score on 43. Maurice Chambers and Ravi Bopara picked up a wicket each and Danish Kaneria claimed the prize wicket of Rana Naved (57) as the away side stumbled to 111-8.

A late cameo from Gough at his former hunting ground restored some parity to the total but Ryan ten Doeschate accounted for him as well as Richard Pyrah to wrap up the innings.

With Essex's batsmen in prolific form, 157 was never likely to be enough. And so it proved as skipper Mark Pettini continued his recent resurgence with a half-century at the top of the order. But even he was forced to play second fiddle to the irrepressible Napier as the burly all-rounder entered the fray. The pair enjoyed a 63-run partnership before Napier fell after seven fours and one six in his knock of 46.

By the time Pettini fell lbw to David Wainwright the damage had been done, and it was left to veteran Grant Flower (10 not out) and Ryan ten Doeschate (11 not out) to finish the job for the Eagles.