Napier's winning run continues in Hong Kong (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Napier's winning run continues in Hong Kong

8:43am Tuesday 11th November 2008 in Sport

GRAHAM Napier's glorious run continued as England lifted the Hong Kong Sixes Trophy in Kowloon on Sunday.

The Essex all-rounder, who has already won the Friends Provident Trophy and NatWest Pro40 Division Two titles this summer, was part of a seven-man England squad in the former colony.

Led by Hampshire's Dimitri Mascarenhas, who was named player of the tournament, England lost just one of the seven matches they played over the weekend.

Victory was clinched in a thrilling final on Sunday afternoon, with Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan running out Australia's Stephen O'Keefe to hand England the trophy by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

England had made 121 for one from their five eight-ball overs, with Mascarenhas (31) and Warwickshire pair Darren Maddy (32) and Jonathan Trott (23 not out) the batting stars.

In a dramatic climax, Australia required just two runs from their final two deliveries when all-rounder John Hastings skied a catch to Trott off Bresnan.

And when O'Keefe was short of his ground attempting a second run from the last ball, it sparked wild English celebrations.

Earlier, England had won through their Bradman Group preliminary round by beating India and South Africa on Saturday, while their only defeat of the competition came at the hands of Pakistan.

On Sunday, Napier and his team-mates beat Australia, surprise package Hong Kong and South Africa again to reach the final.

The 28-year-old will now fly on to New Zealand, where he will spend the winter with Wellington.