Essex opening bowler Jamie Porter has taken to Division One cricket like a duck to water and is excited to get the red ball back in his hand on Monday against Somerset.
After a period of NatWest T20 Blast cricket, Essex’s attentions turn back to Championship cricket and Chris Silverwood’s men sit top of the pile.
With no other distractions, Porter believes the teams focus will be fully on achieving the once unthinkable and claiming the Division One title.
The 24-year-old said: “The NatWest T20 Blast campaign perhaps didn’t go as we planned as a team or from a personal point of view. We gave ourselves a chance of reaching the knockout stages but unfortunately fell slightly short.
“Our attentions now turn back to red-ball cricket and we are all excited about that proposition. We are well placed at the moment but there is still a lot of work ahead of us to achieve the dream of winning the Division One title.”
After a week off, Porter is refreshed and ready for the challenge of Somerset and believes their league position does not reflect the team they are.
The Chingford man added: “Obviously the season hasn’t gone as they would of planned in Championship cricket. They have been on the wrong side of a couple of close results but have a team full of dangerous players.
“They went close to the title last year so are obviously a very talented team and we have to be wary of them. But we know if we continue to perform as we have done in red-ball cricket throughout the year we will be fine.”
Porter currently has 40 Division One wickets to his name and is quickly approaching three 50 wicket seasons in a row. He concluded: “That is always your target as a bowler. We all set personal targets at the start of the season and I am not going to reveal those but I am happy with how my season is going.
“The aim now is to catch Harmy (Simon Harmer sits on 48 wickets), who obviously had those two incredible games which helped us to victories. I missed a game with the Lions but I am backing myself to catch him otherwise I won’t hear the end of it!”
You can see Porter in action on Monday and don’t forget Kids go for a quid this Bank Holiday. Get tickets here.
