Napier is king of the Castle on farewell visit
GRAHAM NAPIER showed just what a loss he will be to Essex when he retires at the end of the season to take up a teaching appointment in Ipswich.
Playing at the Castle Park venue for the final time in an Essex sweater, he signed off with a dream performance and in spectacular style as Essex emerged with a draw against Sussex in their County Championship duel at Colchester.
Having honed his skills playing for the Colchester & East Essex club as a youngster Napier, now 36 years-old, scored a magnificent 124 to ensure that Essex maintained their top of the table after they had started the final day with defeat looking a distinct possibility.
Earlier in the match, he had taken a five-wicket haul for the fourth time this summer and for the 16th time in his first-class career and was able to reflect that it was wonderful way to mark his final appearance at a ground that held so many wonderful memories both as a developing young cricketer and then as a professional.
“The ground was a major part of my life when I was growing up,” he said. “I can remember coming down to Castle Park as a lad and coming to the nets and then later, walking out to the middle for the first time to play for Colchester as a junior. Then I became a professional with Essex and playing here was always a bit special.
“So these past couple of days have been very emotional for me.
“I came into this match with Sussex just hoping really that I would have a good game but I never expected to take five wickets and score a century. It sounds like a fairytale but that happens sometimes and this was one of those occasions and so my last appearance at Castle Park for Essex will always be that extra bit of a special memory for me.
“All credit to Ryan ten Doeschate for both of his innings in the match, particularly the second one which saw us through a period of really tough cricket and paved the way for the draw.
“He wore Sussex down and that’s what makes four-day cricket so great. It’s all about playing attritional cricket and not giving anything away to the opposition.”
Although the curtain is set to fall on his superb career in just a few weeks time, the all-rounder admits he still has a couple of things on his wish list.
“I would love to end my career having played a part in helping Essex to promotion and we still have a chance of a one-day title. Either of those would be special and both would be the icing on the cake.”
Meanwhile Sussex captain Luke Wright admits he is taking a lot of satisfaction with the progress shown by some of the younger members of his squad with the latest to shine being Jofra Archer. The 21-year-old from Bridgetown, Barbados, took four wickets and scored 73 on Championship debut.
“We started this season with a new remit from the Board, especially financially now and we opted to give opportunities to some youngsters,” he explained.
“They are probably further on than we thought they would be. Players like Stuart Whittingham, George Garton, Harry Finch and Jofra who has come on brilliantly. He’s bowled really quick and made it look easy and he appears to be a really exciting prospect and a natural all-rounder.
“So it’s great to see these youngsters progressing and learning.”
Napier wasn’t the only centurion here with Sussex man Chris Jordan reaching three figures for the first time in a first-class match. He made the highest score in the match with 131.
That had given Sussex a 90-run first innings lead but Ten Doeschate and Napier ensured the draw, both making centuries.