First became a mainstay of the Essex side during 2002 when he made vital contributions with both bat and ball. Continued his upward mobility in the 2003 season when his performances earned him a place on the ECB Academy squad to train at Loughborough and tour India. Ended the 2004 season in style with his maiden Championship century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Injury hampered his progress in 2005 when he missed much of the campaign but a good close season made him eager to make up for lost time in 2006. Unfortunately injuries again restricted him that year as he strove for greater consistency to supplement his talent. Napier’s 2007 highlight was his first Championship century at The Ford County Ground – 125 against Nottinghamshire in July.

Earlier in his career he equaled the highest number of wickets taken by an Essex player in a one-day league campaign with 33 victims in 2003. Two years before that he became the first Essex player to take six wickets in a one-day league match for 13 years, against Worcestershire. Won the Under-19 World Cup with England in 1998.