Kent Cricket have this afternoon announced that all-rounder Grant Stewart has signed a two-year contract extension, that will now run until at least the end of the 2027 season.

The right-armer joined the Club in the 2017 season, and since then has made 179 appearances for the county – scoring 3,296 runs and taking 216 wickets.

A Vitality Blast & Metro Bank One Day Cup winner with Kent, the 31-year-old has become a mainstay in Kent Men’s side across all formats. 2023’s Vitality Blast competition saw Stewart break the Kent record for T20 wickets in a single season, with 24 wickets in the tournament.

This May, he hit a new first-class best innings score of 182 runs away at Gloucestershire, and captained the county for the first time in the Rothesay County Championship against Leicestershire in July, becoming the second Italy international to captain a Championship side.

On extending his Kent contract, Stewart said: “I’m extremely delighted to extend my time as a Kent cricketer.

“I was very proud to captain the side three times this year – after joining Kent nearly ten years ago now from the Second XI, I’ve already made a lot of lifelong memories here.

“Hopefully I can make more contributions with bat and ball over the next two years and help some of the younger players to achieve their career ambitions.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: “Through hard work and dedication over a number of years, Grant has now become a big part of our team with his ability to score runs quickly with both the red and white ball, and his ability to take the new ball in Championship cricket.

“We’re delighted that he has chosen to remain a part of the project here, as we build for the future that will be able to compete across all formats.”