Former Northern Suburbs all-rounder Grant Stewart has thrashed a half-century and received man-of-the-match honours to keep Italy in the hunt for a berth in the T20 cricket World Cup.
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Playing for Italy against Denmark in Spain, Stewart smashed 51 from 31 balls, with three sixes and five fours, to set up a nine-run victory (141-4 to 132-9).
Italy have now won two of their first four games. Each team plays in six fixtures, and the top two progress to the final stage of qualification for the main competition.
Stewart, 27, played in Maitland and Newcastle before securing a professional contract with English county side Kent in 2017.
He has since played in 27 first-class matches, 29 T20s and 12 List-A one-dayers on the county circuit.
Stewart's mother is Italian, which allows him to represent the Azzurri at international level and also means Kent do not have to count him as an overseas player.
Stewart had scored 27 and a golden duck in his previous innings in the World Cup qualifiers, as well as taking 1-18, 1-22 and 2-17.
Speaking before the tournament Stewart said: "It obviously means quite a lot, not only to me but my family more than anything.
"Italy aren't probably renowned for cricket and mum's side of the family support me even though they don't really know the ins and outs of cricket.
"When I told them I was playing for Italy you could see how much it means to them and it brings a bit more meaning to me as well.
