All-rounder Grant Stewart believes Kent will be better after the setbacks they have faced this summer as he pens a contract extension and looks to the future.

Stewart, 28, made his Kent debut in September 2017 after he impressed for the club’s 2nds and has made 89 appearances for Kent across all formats. He has scored more than 1,400 runs and taken more than 100 wickets and will now stay at The Spitfire Ground until at least the end of the 2024 season.

Known for his medium-fast bowling and big-hitting with the bat, he was part of the Kent Spitfires side which were crowned T20 Blast champions last year.

He made his T20 International debut for Italy - for whom he qualifies through his mother’s side of the family - in October. He now has an international T20 half-century to his name.

Australian-born Stewart, who had a brief loan spell with Sussex earlier this summer, said: “I’m really pleased to sign an extension to my Kent contract for at least two more years.

“We’ve faced some setbacks as a squad this year, [but] I believe we’ll be better for it in the coming years and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.

“Kent’s a great club, full of great people, and I’m hopeful I can play a big part in bringing more success to the club.”

Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: “Grant has the ability to take the new ball in both red-ball and white-ball cricket, has developed good skills in the middle and later overs of white-ball matches and can hit the ball out of the park.

“He has become a key contributor to the team; his work ethic is exceptional and his appetite to improve his skills is second to none.

“We believe Grant’s cricket will go from strength-to-strength and we’re delighted that he has committed to Kent for at least two more seasons.”

It has been a busy couple of days for Kent having already announced the signing of all-rounder Joey Evison on the same day, a day after making an announcement seam bowler Matt Milnes is to leave Kent at the end of the season and will join Yorkshire.