Sporting icons : Alec Stewart - Career & video of England's great batsman

Alec Stewart, the former English cricketer, was born on April 8, 1963. He had a distinguished career spanning from 1981 to 2003. Stewart was primarily a wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his resilience and adaptability. He represented Surrey in county cricket and played for England in both Tests and One Day Internationals.

Stewart made his Test debut in 1990 against the West Indies and went on to play 133 Tests, scoring over 8,000 runs, including 15 centuries. In ODIs, he played 170 matches, accumulating more than 4,000 runs. He was known for his aggressive batting style, solid technique, and safe hands behind the stumps.

Throughout his career, Stewart was a key figure in England's middle order, often rescuing the team from difficult situations with his batting. He also served as England's captain for a brief period, leading the team in 15 Tests and 31 ODIs.

After retiring from professional cricket, Stewart remained involved in the sport as a coach and commentator. He has continued to contribute to the game's development through various roles in cricket administration and media.

Alec Stewart had a distinguished cricketing career filled with numerous highlights. Here's a detailed overview of his career highlights and his batting style:

1. **Test Debut and Early Years**: Alec Stewart made his Test debut for England in 1990 against the West Indies. Despite a challenging start against one of the most formidable bowling attacks in cricket history, Stewart showcased his talent and resilience, laying the foundation for a successful international career.

2. **Versatility in Batting**: Stewart's batting style was characterized by its versatility. He was comfortable batting at various positions in the order, from opening the innings to batting in the middle order. This flexibility made him a valuable asset to the team, capable of adapting to different match situations. Stewart was a good backfoot player with strong cut & pull shots and was generally successful vs the West Indies pace battery. He scored twin hundreds at Bridgetown in 1994 vs a rampaging Ambrose , Walsh & Benjamin (video below )

3. **First Test Century**: Stewart scored his maiden Test century against Pakistan in 1992, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. His innings of 148 runs played a crucial role in securing a draw for England in that match.

4. **Ashes Success**: Stewart enjoyed success in Ashes series against Australia, contributing significantly with both bat and gloves. One of his memorable performances came in the 1994-95 Ashes series in Australia, where he scored two centuries, including a magnificent 170 in Melbourne.

5. **Captaincy Stint**: Stewart was appointed as England's captain in 1998, leading the team in 15 Test matches and 31 One Day Internationals. While his tenure as captain had its ups and downs, he was praised for his leadership qualities and determination to lead by example.

6. **World Cup Performances**: Stewart represented England in multiple Cricket World Cups during his career. He played crucial roles with the bat in several matches, including a memorable century against India in the 1992 World Cup.

7. **County Cricket Success**: In addition to his international exploits, Stewart had a prolific career representing Surrey in county cricket. He played a key role in Surrey's success, contributing with both bat and gloves, and guiding the team to several domestic titles.

  8   *Tests , ODI records*

          Alec Stewart  played  133 tests and scored  8463 runs with 190 as top score , 39.54 average with 15 hundreds . He took 263 catches & made 14 stumpings . ( interestingly enough in an unique record his Test tally of 8463 runs matches with his date of birth : 8-4-63)

In ODIs Stewart played 170 matches , scored 4677 runs at 31.60 average with 4 hundreds . Stewart boasted a 40 average in first class cricket having scored 26000 plus runs with 48 centuries. 

9. **Retirement and Legacy**: Alec Stewart retired from international cricket in 2003, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of England's finest wicketkeeper-batsmen. His contribution to English cricket, both on and off the field, continues to be remembered and appreciated by fans and fellow cricketers alike.

In summary, Alec Stewart's career highlights reflect his exceptional batting talent, versatility, and leadership qualities, making him a revered figure in English cricket history.