Rapier Napier books a place in semi-finals and a trip to India

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Graham Napier, the new star of Twenty20 cricket, propelled Essex to finals day and almost certainly secured an Indian Premier League contract in the demolition of Northants at Chelmsford last night.

Napier, the 28-year-old who cannot get into the Essex championship team, proved that his extraordinary unbeaten 152 against Sussex last month was no fluke with another outstanding all-round performance.

Bat out of hell: Napier put Nothants to the sword

His 40 from 20 balls included three sixes and lifted Essex to a formidable 192 for nine.

He completed a perfect day by taking his fourth wicket with the last ball as Essex won by 59 runs and became the first side to book their place in finals day at the Rose Bowl on July 26 following the farce at Durham.

Napier's rise from county journeyman to superlative performer has been perfectly timed.

He was also prominent in Essex's Friends Provident Trophy semi-final victory over Yorkshire and was watched last night by the IPL scouts who have travelled to England this week in search of homegrown talent.

Napier, who has also put himself in the frame for England's side in the £10million Stanford match in Antigua, will be at the top of their list.

Napier's clean hitting will not only lead to a life-changing trip to India next April but it has also put Essex in sight of the inaugural Champions League in October.

As one of only three counties with no 'rebel' Indian Cricket League players, they will be assured a crack at the £2.4million top prize if they win one of the Rose Bowl semis.