Grant Stewart returns to Kent squad ahead of Somerset clash
Published: 00:00, 09 June 2019
Grant Stewart is in line to make his first Specsavers County Championship Division 1 appearance of the season when Kent host Somerset during the week.
The bowling all-rounder has been plying his trade with the 2nd team for much of the campaign so far amid his recovery from injury.
He has now been named in the 12-man squad set to face leaders and Royal London One-Day Cup winners Somerset at The Spitfire Ground from Monday.
Stewart struck 112 from just 57 balls in May to help Kent's 2nd team beat Middlesex 2nds, hitting six sixes and 13 fours at Canterbury's Polo Farm.
Among other meaningful strides towards full fitness have been bowling figures of 4-19 for Sandwich against HSBC in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division last month, following on from a knock of 57 in defeat to Canterbury on the opening weekend.
April also saw Stewart pick up 3-16 for Kent's 2nds against MCC Young Cricketers.
Discussing Stewart's recovery, head coach Matt Walker said: "It's good news about Grant Stewart, he came through a second team game really well the other day and looks strong.
"We know what Grant can do and what he did for us last season. You want somebody like that back in your team quickly, but we don't want to rush it.
"It's been a long and frustrating period for Grant because he just wants to play and he's been doing everything he can to get back in the frame. He's looking fit and strong, he's been playing regularly and has been bowling and batting well. It's really encouraging."
Kent are still without long-term absentees in skipper Sam Billings (shoulder), Ivan Thomas (knee) and Calum Haggett (elbow).
Full squad: Joe Denly, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Mitchell Claydon, Zak Crawley, Sean Dickson, Heino Kuhn, Matt Milnes, Wiaan Mulder, Harry Podmore, Ollie Robinson, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart.
Read more: Kent sign Ollie Rayner on loan from Middlesex
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