ESSEX seamer Jamie Porter says the players are trying to keep it as relaxed as possible ahead of today’s crunch Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final against Notts.

The 24-year-old has been a revelation in all forms of the game this season.

His form has earned him international recognition, as he and team-mate Dan Lawrence won their first England Lions caps earlier this month.

And with another Lions call-up just around the corner, Porter is hoping to keep impressing in a game he is excited to be a part of.

“There is so much excitement around the club,” he said.

“It is a big game for the club but from the players’ perspective we are feeling quite chilled.

“We know what needs to be done and if we play our best then we will be alright.

“I am not thinking too far ahead right now,” he added.

“I am preparing in the right way and know what I am going to do in terms of the Notts batsmen. They have some big-hitters and people will know a bit about their guys.

“They are strong but that is self-explanatory.

“But I know what my plan is.”

Porter said he was delighted with his current form.

But he now wants to inspire Essex into the final at Lord’s and in front of a capacity home crowd.

“I am over the moon with my form and the Lions selection is the icing on the cake,” he said.

“After this game I will start looking forward to that but it is all about today’s game at the moment.

“We have the support of the county and that comes with playing as well as we have done in recent times. More people want to watch us play as we are performing this way. It is very exciting but it is now massively important we make the final.

“We don’t want to put any added pressure on ourselves but we are playing some serious cricket and we are a tough team to beat when we play at our best.”