Jamie Porter has become the first Essex cricketer in almost a quarter of a century to claim 500 First-Class wickets for the Club.
Joining an illustrious list that includes the likes of David Acfield, Trevor Bailey, Ray East, and John Lever, as well as all-time leading wicket-taker Peter Smith, Porter is the 26th man to achieve the feat for Essex.
Porter’s 500th victim in the format for the Eagles was Craig Miles, bowled for a duck in the second innings during a fast-moving match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
The Eagles went on to win the game by an innings and 40 runs, completing a second innings win in a row, with Porter capping the achievement by returning 6/36, his best figures of the season.
It comes in the same year that he reached the same number of wickets in all first-class cricket, having also taken 19 for England Lions during, among other home matches, tours to the West Indies and India.
He is the first bowler to hit the milestone since Mark Ilott did so in July 2000, having Toby Peirce caught by the Eagles’ current Academy Director Barry Hyam in a match against Sussex at Arundel Castle.
Almost exactly a year earlier, Peter Such had also taken his 500th First-Class scalp in an Essex shirt, bowling Steve Watkin during an innings win over Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens.
Porter, who also snared 50 wickets for the season in the same innings, marking the seventh time in ten years he has done that, has taken his 502 scalps at a sparkling career average of 23.07.
Enter the ballot for international tickets
The 2025 international fixture list has been revealed, with Chelmsford braced for high-octane action as England Women take on West Indies Women on Monday 26 May at 2:30pm.
In what’s set to be an unmissable afternoon of IT20 cricket, some of the world’s best T20 cricketers will go head to head in a T20 set in the heart of Essex.
What’s more, the game will be played on the Spring Bank Holiday making it the perfect day out with friends and family.
Demand for tickets will be high, so make sure to enter the ticket ballot and share with family and friends for the best chance to get your hands on tickets before public sale.
You’ll also have the chance to earn an extra entry to the ballot by sharing with the person you’d like to bring with you.
The ballot will close at midnight on Monday 04 November and ballot winners will be contacted with a unique link to purchase tickets on Tuesday 05 November.
