Jamie Porter's journey so far as a professional cricketer has been no less than inspirational. From working as a recruitment consultant to becoming a professional cricketer, time has tested this young cricketer. 

However, “It was a little bit unexpected,” said Porter, speaking to the Professional Cricketers’ Association after receiving his maiden inclusion in an England Test squad.

“To be honest it hasn’t sunk in yet, I’m trying to get a few minutes to myself to sit and process it properly. There is a great deal of excitement ahead of next week. I obviously have a lot of emotions going through my head, mainly thinking of my family and how much this means to them.”

The right-arm seamer may be surprised by his call-up, but he has earned the recognition by being, in national selector Ed Smith’s words, “the outstanding seam bowler in the county championship over the past three seasons.”

Taking 158 wickets in county championship and starting his career at the age of 20, back in 2014, this  Test call-up after the hard grind earlier becomes all the more special. 

“The only reward I’m interested in is playing Test cricket,” said Porter. "It’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life and has always been my dream and now I am a step closer, that’s why I feel a big amount of relief.

“It makes it feel even more worth it, I’ve always been so grateful for the opportunity Essex gave me and how it’s all worked out here and now to be in a situation where this time next week I could be walking out representing my country it feels pretty special.”

(With ICC inputs)