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Kent all-rounder Grant Stewart is today aiming to make his debut appearance at Trent Bridge a memorable one.
Stewart, 28, has been with Kent for five years but he is yet to play at the Nottingham venue ahead of the Spitfires’ Royal London One-Day Cup final there against Lancashire.
He revealed: “There’s only a couple of grounds that I haven’t played at [in the UK] - and that’s one of them.
“It’ll be quite nice to play there for the first time and a good occasion to do it as well.
“Hopefully, I can come away with one win from one game at Trent Bridge!”
Kent are in fine form in the competition having won five of their last six games this season after an indifferent start.
“We had a couple of rough games in the middle but, at the start of the competition, we actually played some decent cricket and just probably didn’t get on the right side of results,” said Australian-born Stewart who has played for Italy, qualifying through his Italian mother.
“We have managed to string a nice run of games together and the last five games or so have been do-or-die kind of stuff. It’s been a nice build into the final.”
Stewart’s dramatic last-ball six against Yorkshire was arguably their turning point in the competition as it seemingly kicked Kent into life.
But a modest Stewart said: “I don’t know. I didn’t play the game before against Northampton and then we had a wash-out against Derbyshire.
“It really forced our hand, knowing we had to win every game. I guess - as we know - cricket can be a massive momentum sport. Luckily, we got over the line in that Yorkshire game.
“If it did spur us on a little bit, I’m glad to have helped the lads with that but it was very much a team performance that game. There were some great individual performances to set up the game and we did get on a bit of a roll from there.
“As you saw, different blokes stood up from there - like in the Lancashire game and the Hampshire game. It’s great to have those opportunities to win games for the team and everyone has taken their chance.”
Stewart admits he would relish the opportunity to be involved at the death once again in the final when it matters most.
“Yeah, it would be massive. That’s why you train,” he said.
“Our coach, Simon Cook, at the start of the competition sort of came up with this mantra of ‘Living your dream’ in this competition. That’s kind of happened along the way where we have had some tight finishes and different people have stood up.
“Where I have been involved in those tight moments that get us over the line, it’s what you dream of as a kid.
“To be involved in something like that again, that would be class if it gets the team over the line.”
Kent’s fine run included a dramatic two-wicket victory against final opponents Lancashire at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury, to book their place in the knock-out stages.
Asked if that gives the Spitfires more confidence ahead of the final, Stewart, who signed a contract extension until the end of the 2024 season in July, replied: “Possibly. It was a tight game that one but it’s always nice in your last outing against them to get over the line.
“They are a very good side and well-drilled side. They will be up for it, for sure, and I think it’ll be a pretty good game to be fair.”
With the Royal London One-Day Cup clashing with the newly-formed Hundred competition, the standard of the former competition is not as strong in some peoples’ eyes. It’s certainly a format Stewart enjoys, though.
He said: “It’s a funny one. I think 50-over cricket is a great format. It has the red-ball elements still but has got different aspects as well.
“Obviously it’s evolved as the years have gone on. A score of 300 10 years ago, you have won the game basically but, now, anything is chaseable.
“Personally, I have really enjoyed this year in the 50-over competition. I know - speaking to some of the fans at the games - they have enjoyed it too.
“I guess it’s a tough one, getting the scheduling right to be able to fit everything in, but personally I have really enjoyed this format."
