Napier delighted with 'dream' win

Napier hit six sixes in his innings of 61 as Essex reached Lord's

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier said winning through to the final of the Friends Provident Trophy was a dream occasion for the side.

The county will play Kent in the final at Lord's following their 87-run win over Yorkshire at Chelmsford.

Napier, who hit a crucial 61 from just 34 balls, told BBC Essex: "It's a dream come true for some of our guys who have never been to a Lord's final.

"For Mark Pettini, especially, in his first full year as captain is a dream."

The way we've taken the pressure in this semi-final, I'm backing us all the way Graham Napier

Napier, who hit six sixes in the match, added: "We have a young side and now we're all maturing nicely into a very tightly-knit unit and I think we're possibly one of the best teams in the country."

Looking ahead to the final against local rivals Kent at the home of cricket on 16 August, the 28-year-old said he felt there was no reason not to feel confident.

"They're a strong side and we're going to have to play as well as we did here to win the final," he said.

"Finals are all about taking the pressure and [given] the way we've taken the pressure in this semi-final, I'm backing us all the way."