The former Oakfield Parkonians cricketer was named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year earlier today after a stunning 2017

Jamie Porter’s incredible 2017 season was acknowledged this week when on Wednesday morning it was announced he had been named one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year.

The Essex seamer claimed 75 County Championship Division One wickets during the previous campaign to help the County Ground club win the title.

It was Porter’s first season in the top flight, but the former Oak Park High School student thrived and has now been given this honour.

The ex-Fives & Heronians ace has been named alongside Shai Hope, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole on Wisden’s list for 2017.

It is the first time no England male international has been recognised since 2002, but Porter has been linked with a senior call-up.

He claimed his 75 Division One scalps at an average of 16.82 and is firmly in the thoughts of the England selectors going into the upcoming season.

Porter, who played aged only 15 for Oakfield Parkonians, will now look to build on this good news tomorrow (Friday) when Essex start the new campaign.

Anthony McGrath’s team visit Yorkshire for the Division One opener and confidence in the champions camp is high.

“I’m as fit as I can be,” said Porter, after suffering a stress fracture in his back last year which ruled him out of the England Lions tour to Australia. “I think our ambition is to retain the title and to back up last season.

“Personally I had a very good season, but more importantly we had a great season as a team and that’s the important thing looking ahead, so the question now is can we do that again?”

After a ‘long and dull’ rehab during the winter, Porter is now fit and ready to go and will hope to help Essex produce more shock results.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Leytonstone, didn’t get much practise during Essex’s warm-up game at Cambridge Marylebone Cricket Club University.

McGrath’s men batted first at Fenner’s and made 283-4 from 66.3 overs before rain brought day one to an end.

Unfortunately the wet weather didn’t go away and the last two days were washed out, so Essex go into the clash at Yorkshire with little practise behind them.

More rain is expected over the weekend, so how much play takes place at Headingly remains to be seen.