Napier stays on top; Otago's Wagner big mover in MVP

English professional Graham Napier remains the top-performing domestic player in the State MVP rankings, despite a convincing defeat for the State Wellington Firebirds in the State Shield this week. While the Firebirds slumped to a 78 run defeat at the hands of the State Canterbury Wizards in Christchurch, Napier's 3 for 44 with the ball was enough to see him maintain his number one MVP spot.

Firebirds CEO and former BLACKCAP Gavin Larsen said he was not surprised to see Napier topping the MVP. “In both the State Championship and State Shield he has been extremely consistent, leading the Firebirds bowling attack and also providing valuable contributions with the bat. With the domestic Twenty20 only a month away we’re all hoping here in Wellington that the Graham Napier fireworks continue!”

A big mover in the State MVP this week has been State Otago Volt Neil Wagner. Wagner took 3 for 54 in the last ball defeat to the State Auckland Aces, a performance which propels him from 9th to 4th on the overall table, and from a lowly 28th to 3rd in the State Shield MVP.

MVP Top Five at a glance
1 G Napier (WGN) 189.07 points
2 M Sinclair (CD) 171.81
3 E Thompson (CD) 156.11
4 N Wagner (OTG) 141.71
5 J Franklin (WGN) 133.21

State Shield Top Five
1 G Napier (WGN) 98.02 points
2 M Sinclair (CD) 71.23
3 N Wagner (OTG) 67.10
4 B Diamanti (CD) 55.52
5 L Woodcock (WGN) 54.17

For overall points tables and to create customised MVP rankings go to: http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic/mvp/points-table.aspx