Graham Napier has signed a two-year contract extension with Essex until the end of the 2009 season. Napier, the 27-year-old allrounder, has been more of a first-team regular this season after suffering with injury problems in recent years.

Napier’s 2007 highlight with the bat so far is a first Championship century at Chelmsford (125 off 101 balls against Nottinghamshire in July) on his way to compiling 290 runs at 72.50. His 11 wickets at 25.18 in the Friends Provident Trophy has been his most impressive performance with the ball.