Rising Essex stars Graham Napier and Will Jefferson have been picked to play in all-star side chosen by the Professional Cricketers Association.

The duo will line up alongside a host of experienced internationals against the touring South African side on August 6.

Batsman Jefferson and all-rounder Napier, both 23, will be taking the field with the likes of ex-South African Test players Allan Donald and Daryll Cullinan, who will be competing against their former team-mates.

Best foot forward - Will Jefferson will be aiming to get among the runs for the PCA Masters like he has done for the Essex Eagles Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Nottinghamshire batsman Usman Afzaal, who last represented England in 2001, will also be playing along with Hampshire's Robin Smith, who scored more than 4,200 runs at Test level.

Others in the all-star team, who will play the match at Shenley Cricket Centre in Hertfordshire, are Sri Lankan Aravinda de Silva, the West Indies' Jimmy Adams, wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) and Angus Fraser (England).

Jefferson and Napier have been selected with the blessing of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Both players are included in the 2003-2004 provisional squad for the ECB's National Academy, which aims to develop this country's most promising young cricketers.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, said: "Will and Graham are very promising cricketers

"Both of them have a lot of potential and we want to encourage further development of their skills -- that's why they have been included in the PCA Masters to face South Africa."

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Published Thursday, July 31, 2003

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