Napier commits to Essex

Graham Napier © Getty Images

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Graham Napier has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Essex until the end of the 2009 season.

The 27-year-old all-rounder, who has suffered from injury problems in recent years, has been rewarded for an impressive season which has seen him average 72 with the bat in the LV County Championship.

He hit his maiden championship century against Nottinghamshire in July, and took 11 wickets at 25 apiece in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Napier said: “I am pleased to have committed myself to two more years at Essex and am looking forward to progressing my career during this new era at Essex with Mark Pettini as captain and Paul Grayson as first-team coach.

“The previous couple of years have been hard sitting on the sidelines but so far this season, without tempting fate, everything has been going well with no fitness worries. As a result my form is also starting to show through as well.

“Over the course of my next contract I want Essex to get back to where we have been in previous seasons.”

Grayson added: “Graham was out of contract at the end of the year so I’m glad we’ve sorted out his future.

“He’s been here for a number of years and is an Essex lad so we hope he will continue to do well.

“Graham has done particularly well in one-day cricket but we’d like to see him kick on in the championship where he’s done well with the bat but needs a few more wickets.”

Essex chief executive David East said: “We’ve been working to agree terms with Graham for some time and are delighted that he has decided to commit himself for another two years.

“Graham is one of our own who has come through the system, which we are very proud of, and he’s put in some very good performances, especially in one-day cricket.”

East confirmed that Essex are hopeful of agreeing a new deal shortly with James Middlebrook, the only player who has yet to renew his contract.