An outstanding all-round performance by Graham Napier, who is in the one-day form of his life after scoring a competition record of 152 not out two weeks ago, swept Essex into the finals day of the Twenty20 Cup in front of an exultant capacity crowd of 6,000. Napier’s big hitting brought him 40 off 20 balls, propelling Essex to an imposing total of 192, before he torpedoed Northamptonshire’s reply with three wickets in his first two overs at a cost of one run. Set a revised target of 175 in 18 overs, the Steelbacks could not recover from the shock of slumping to 11 for four after four overs.

Essex had got off to a flyer thanks to the brilliance of Ravi Bopara, who struck seven fours and two sixes in his 26-ball 47. By the time the England batsman was first out in the seventh over, 68 runs had been scored. Grant Flower, with 33 off 31 balls, and James Foster, with 26 off 14, put on 62 in seven overs to lay the ideal platform for Napier’s withering assault. The strapping all-rounder began by sweeping Nicky Boje for six before driving Johann Louw over long-on and then carting him into the flats at mid-wicket.

David Masters, the Essex seam bowler, played his part by removing Rob White with the second ball of the innings, Foster taking the first of two diving catches. Napier, bowling quick and straight, was inspired as Northamptonshire were a beaten side long before the 11.07pm finish.