It's business as usual for Cricketer of the Year Porter as Essex title defence begins

OWEN RILEY: Jamie Porter's rise has been rapid. He was working in recruitment and playing for Chingford just four years ago, so he is well aware of how quickly things can change in the world of sport

^{Jamie Porter is ready for a new season}

After taking those 75 wickets at 16.82 in an unbeaten season, winning the Division One title - Essex’s first in 25 years - and being named the Cricket Writers' Club Player of the Year, PCA Young Player of the Year and County Championship Player of the Year, you could forgive Jamie Porter for having a slightly inflated ego.

That’s far from the case however, with the Essex bowler’s feet firmly on the Chelmsford outfield ahead of the club’s title defence.

Of course, his rise has been rapid. He was working in recruitment and playing for Chingford just four years ago, so he is well aware of how quickly things can change in the world of sport.

With a summer of significance behind them there is bound to be more focus on whether Essex can back it up with a second hit album, but Porter comes across as a man who is unfazed by the weight of expectation.

“It’s business as usual really,” he says when asked if there’s added pressure after such success last summer.

^{Porter claimed 75 wickets in 2017}

“It’s go out there, do what I do, put in 100 per cent for the team. As a team we know everyone is going to give 100 per cent, we know we've got the players to back it up, so I don’t feel the pressure too much.

“We don’t want to look that far ahead, the target at the moment is to win every game and play as well as we can.

“Last year I genuinely believed that we could compete and challenge for the title. We went one better than that and won it.  I think we’ve got a squad of players that are very good cricketers and can challenge anything.”

Despite the departure of Chris Silverwood, who has taken up the position as England’s fast-bowling coach, the bowler says things are not drastically different behind the scenes, with Anthony McGrath moving seamlessly into the head coach role.

"We want to try and go a little bit further in white-ball cricket this year, try and bring a trophy home, we think we are a good enough side to do that.

“Not much has changed to be honest… Mags has stepped up to head coach. He’s the best man for the job and we’ve recruited really well with Dimi who has fitted in really well and I’ve really enjoyed working with him in the brief time he has been with us.”

^{Essex are aiming to defend their County Championship title}

It says something about the man that he puts the team and coaching staff first, and has to be prodded again before tackling the subject of his individual merit.

The Leytonstone-born Porter says he is looking to “back up” last year’s wicket-taking bonanza rather than exceed it.

“I’m not looking to top it or match it or anything, I’m just looking to back it up. The main target, personally, is to get 50+ Championship wickets again, but if we are winning games as a side and I’m contributing, then I’m doing my job.”

Modesty aside, it is not lost on him that he is on England’s radar and Porter admits that if he tops 70 Championship wickets again, he would “be very close” to winning his first Test cap.

“Obviously there are some good players in front of me so it all depends on how they do. All I can do is take wickets at that will get me there for thereabouts,” said Porter.

“I’ve spoken to selectors and Lions coaches and they’ve said ‘you’re close, just keep knocking the door down and hopefully someone will answer’.”