Napier drafted into Lions squad

Napier helped Essex to Pro40 and Friends Provident Trophy titles in 2008

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has been called up to the England Lions squad for their tour of New Zealand.

Napier will join the side for two one-day games and a Twenty20 match with New Zealand 'A', which starts on 13 March.

The 29-year-old has spent the winter playing state cricket for Wellington in New Zealand.

Selector Geoff Miller said: "The selectors felt this was a good opportunity for us to have a closer look at him within the England set-up."

Napier previously played for the Lions on their tour of Malaysia and India in 2004, but told his website he was determined to make more of his chance this time around.

Perhaps the thought of wanting to break into the full England side began to distract me a few years back

Graham Napier

"Not many players would get a second opportunity at this stage in their career," he wrote.

"But I think the whole reason I have got to this point again has been that I've not given England much thought over the last couple of years.

"Perhaps the thought of wanting to break into the full England side began to distract me a few years back so I decided to just relax and have fun in the middle.

"It's got me back to this point so now it's up to me to make the most of this second chance."

Napier shone in last season's domestic Twenty20 campaign, most notably when he hit 16 sixes in an innings of 152 against Sussex.