Jamie Porter unleashes second-innings destruction as Essex seal only Easter Monday victory

Jamie Porter turned Easter Monday into a nightmare for Worcestershire, tearing through their batting order with six savage wickets in a blistering final-day spell that handed Essex a dramatic 28-run victory — their first win of the County Championship season.

In a weekend riddled with rain and draws, Porter’s rampage stood out like blood on white linen. His second-innings haul of 6-50, backed by match figures of 8-101, left Worcestershire gasping and Essex elated, marking the only top-flight win of the round.

As the sun rose on day four, the game sat on a knife-edge. Worcestershire looked to chase down a manageable target, but Porter wasn’t in the mood for mercy. He started with menace, uprooting Matthew Waite’s stumps before sending Tom Taylor back for peanuts. Within minutes, Worcestershire’s spine had begun to crack.

Even as Ethan Brookes mounted resistance with a gritty 88, Porter circled like a hawk. His breakthrough came in brutal fashion — a sharp caught-and-bowled that silenced any hope of a comeback. Kasun Rajitha added insult to injury, dismissing Ben Allison for a duck to help Essex wrap up proceedings in ruthless style.

Worcestershire, despite flashes of resilience, collapsed under the weight of Porter’s relentless assault. Essex, meanwhile, rose to third in the Division One standings — their confidence soaring after a nervy start to the season.

While Essex savoured victory, the rest of the division settled for frustration. At Hove, Surrey and Sussex played out their third draw of the campaign, but not without a few standout moments.

Ollie Robinson, keen to reassert his England credentials, struck early to remove Dan Lawrence for 117. Ben Foakes followed up with a well-constructed 60 before Sussex’s James Coles put Surrey through a spin cycle, taking 5-108 to halt their march at 490 all out.

In reply, Sussex looked defiant. Tom Haines anchored with an unbeaten 69, while Daniel Hughes added a sturdy 49 not out as the hosts reached 132 without loss by stumps. The match petered out, but not before offering flashes of individual brilliance.

Meanwhile, in Division Two, Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow offered a reminder of his class. Returning to county action, he carved out a commanding 86 not out, displaying all the calm assurance and explosive flair that have made him a mainstay of the national side.

His knock ensured Yorkshire avoided defeat and injected a dose of star power into a day otherwise dominated by draws.

But the spotlight belonged to Jamie Porter. His vicious, calculated dismantling of Worcestershire’s batting will echo throughout the Championship — a chilling reminder of what happens when a bowler hits his rhythm and refuses to let go.

Easter Monday may be a holiday for some. For Worcestershire, it was a full-blown cricketing massacre.