Hunter Valley cricketer Grant Stewart is set to take on the world's best after Italy was drawn against former champions England and West Indies in the group stage of next year's T20 World Cup.
From Maitland to the World Stage
The 31-year-old all-rounder, who grew up on a turf farm at Lorn and began his career at Maitland club Norths, will represent Italy in the prestigious tournament scheduled for India in early 2026. Stewart's Italian qualification comes through family heritage on his mother's side, and he has already made 17 appearances for the Azzurri in T20 internationals.
Italy was officially drawn in group C on Wednesday AEDT, setting up matches against cricket powerhouses England, the current Ashes tourists who have won the men's T20 title twice (2010 and 2022), and West Indies, also dual champions (2012 and 2016). The minnows will also face Test-playing nation Bangladesh and Nepal in their maiden World Cup campaign.
Coach Backs 'Match Winner'
Shane Burley, who has coached Stewart for over a decade since their paths crossed in Newcastle representative ranks, describes the professional cricketer as the 'ultimate professional' and a 'genuine match winner on his day'.
'I'm sure he's going to do really well,' Burley told the Newcastle Herald. 'He's got a good understanding of his game, which is really important, and knows what works for him. On that world stage he's a genuine match winner on his day and can take any attack apart. He's got some good skills with the ball as well.'
Burley continues to mentor Stewart, focusing on 'the preparation side of things and all of the above-the-shoulder stuff'. He praised the cricketer's professionalism and attention to detail.
Italy's World Cup Schedule
Stewart and his Italian teammates will begin their World Cup campaign at one of cricket's most iconic venues, facing Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 9. Their schedule continues:
- February 12: vs Nepal in Mumbai
- February 16: vs England in Kolkata
- February 19: vs West Indies in Kolkata
The Hunter-bred cricketer has come a long way since his early days as a wicketkeeper and leg-spinner in Newcastle. He ultimately developed into a right-arm paceman and lower-order batsman, with impressive first-class best performances of 6-22 with the ball and 182 with the bat.
Stewart's professional journey took him to English county Kent in 2017, where he has played professionally ever since and recently signed a contract extension. Back in 2015, he and his older brother Luke won a NSW Country Championships final for Newcastle at No.1 Sportsground.
Australia finds itself in group B alongside tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman. Reigning champions India headline group A with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia, while recent runner-up South Africa rounds out group D with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE.
As Stewart prepares for the world stage, Newcastle's cricket community continues its domestic campaigns, with the NSW Country Championships commencing this week across Newcastle and the Central Coast.
