10 intriguing facts about England's Jamie Porter

As England announced their squad for the Test series, there was a surprise inclusion in the form of Jamie Porter. The 25-year old earned a maiden call up to the national team. The youngster’s name has been doing the rounds for a while after a phenomenal domestic county season.

The right arm medium pacer was rewarded for his stunning performance in the County season over the last few years. Porter’s elevation to the English squad against India was quite deserving and his performance for Essex is a sublime proof of the same.

Here are 10 facts about Jamie Porter you all should know

1. Calls for it and gets it – David Warner bowled   

In what was a tour game against the Australian cricket team, the right arm medium pacer got rid of fiery opener David Warner . Interestingly, before the game, he had vowed to take his wicket.

2. Highest wicket taker in County Championship

The youngster playing for Essex was the leading wicket taker in their County Championship title triumph in 2017. Porter claimed a total of 75 wickets that too at a splendid average of just 16. He was their strike bowler and no wonder played a tremendous role in the victorious campaign.

3. Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year 

His performances for Essex earned him due recognition. Earlier in April this year, Jamie Porter was named the Wisden Cricketer of the year alongside Shai Hope, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole.

4. Second player to represent a county team from Chingford 

Having represented Chingford Cricket Club till the 2014 season, Porter went on to make his Essex debut the same year. Thus, he became only the second player to play for a county team and Chingford since Robin Hobbs in 1961.

5. Part time Recruitment consultant

Back in 2014, Porter was a recruitment consultant working in London and playing club cricket. His journey from recruiting to getting selected in the England Test squad is nothing less than a fairy-tale.

6. Family with a sporting background

Coming from a football crazy family, Jamie sure did play the game a lot in his early days. His father was a great footballer but had to cut his career short as a result of an injury. His granddad was a huge supporter of West Ham.

7. Brilliant first class record 

The right arm medium pacer has got a total of 240 first class wickets. He has done so at a splendor bowling average of 24.05. The 25-year old has also got nine 5 wicket hauls and a ten wicket haul.

8. Most county wickets since 2016

Jamie Porter has a total of 158 wickets since the start of 2016. This is the most by any other bowler in County Cricket during this period.

9. Got Murali Vijay twice in tour game

In the recent India A tour, the pacer managed to outfox Murali Vijay twice. While he trapped him LBW in the first innings, he followed it up by getting him bowled for a duck in the second innings. Porter would surely relish bowling him if given a chance.

10. Extremely talented

Essex head coach Paul Grayson called Porter “refreshing”. He even praised him for having a great character and asking too much from a batsman. National selector Ed Smith also described him as an outstanding seam bowler.