Napier to rejoin Wellington

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier is returning to the New Zealand capital for the 2008-09 domestic season.

The 28-year-old, who hit a world-record 16 sixes on his way to 152 not out from 58 balls for the Eagles against Sussex in the Twenty20 Cup in July, will line up for the Wellington Firebirds in their Twenty20 and one-day competitions - and possibly in the four-day format.

Graham Napier helped Essex Eagles capture the Friends Provident Trophy this season

Napier was drafted into the Firebirds squad midway through last season as a replacement for fellow Nottinghamshire seamer Charlie Shreck when he was called into the England Lions squad.

He played five games then, offering a glimpse of his power-hitting, and he will return to New Zealand in early November.

Wellington head coach Anthony Stuart is delighted to be welcoming Napier back.

“He’s a dynamic all-rounder who proved in the recent English Twenty20 competition that he is a true match winner,” Stuart said.

“Graham’s involvement is a huge boost for the Wellington Firebirds and a major draw card for cricket fans in Wellington.”

Napier is contracted through until the Twenty20 final on March 1 and will form part of what is shaping up as a formidable line-up that will include former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and possibly Black Caps big-hitter Jesse Ryder.

Extra incentive for the teams this year is the fact the winners could potentially find themselves in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League.