James Alexander Porter, born in Leytonstone, Greater London, has made an incredible impression since breaking into the side back in 2014. Since his debut that year, Porter has been a permanent member of the squad, especially in the red-ball campaigns.
Porter began his Essex career exceptionally well, taking 50 wickets in his first full season of 2015, then again in 2016 to help Essex secure the Division Two title. He kicked on even further in 2017, taking an extraordinary 75 wickets at an average of 17.10 as Essex lifted the County Championship title.
In 2015, Porter was awarded his Essex County Cap to become the 158th player to receive this prestigious honour.
The right-arm seam bowler’s incredible form rightfully earned him international recognition as he was called up to the England Lions squad in 2017. Following this he was named as one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year and called up to the England Men’s Test squad to face India in 2018.
Also, an integral part of Essex Cricket’s 2019 double winning season, Porter claimed 48 wickets, including match figures of 9-73 against title-rivals Somerset.
In the 2024 season, Jamie became the first Essex cricketer in almost a quarter of a century to claim 500 first-class wickets for the Club in a year in which he delivered exceptional numbers. In the County Championship campaign of 2024, Porter claimed 56 wickets at an average of just 19.25 - with his best display of 6-36 coming against Warwickshire, the same game he reached the 500 mark.
Going into the 2026 season, Porter has claimed a total of 552 first-class wickets for the Club at an average of 22.83 from 143 matches.
Throughout Porter's tenure at Essex, he has collected an impressive number of personal accolades which include:
