"On a June evening in 2008 Napier blasted 152 not out off 58 balls for Essex in a televised T20 Blast match against Sussex. He broke the English record for the highest score in T20 cricket and equalled the world record for the most sixes, 16, in one innings. The knock caught the eye of England's selectors but also those from further afield."
"I was informed that Mumbai Indians were interested in signing me for the second season of the IPL. There was lots of hype after that innings and people talking things up. It was a crazy time. It was a different time. Take the fact that Napier didn't have an agent, I hadn't played international cricket and was on friendly terms with the hierarchy at Essex."
"Due to the rules in place at the time Napier was not eligible to be entered into the auction as he hadn't played international cricket. He was signed for an undisclosed fee but the final amount was reduced significantly by Essex curtailing his availability; they wanted their man back on 1 May so he could help them defend the Friends Provident Trophy title."
Graham Napier, now 46 and working as a fire safety officer in Suffolk, was a former Essex all-rounder who achieved cricket fame in June 2008 when he scored 152 not out off 58 balls in a T20 Blast match, breaking the English T20 record and equalling the world record with 16 sixes. This performance attracted attention from Mumbai Indians for the IPL's second season. Without an agent and maintaining good relations with Essex, Napier negotiated directly with the club's hierarchy. Mumbai Indians signed him for an undisclosed fee, though Essex significantly reduced the amount by limiting his availability, requiring his return by May 1st for domestic competition. Napier played only one IPL match, scoring 15 runs and taking one wicket.
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