Alec Stewart during an International Test Match for the England team
Known for his calm presence and sharp skills behind the stumps, he was also an attacking batsman, especially strong against the new ball in Test matches. Stewart is widely considered one of England’s finest openers and a true leader on the field. On his birthday, we look back and celebrate the brilliant career of this cricketing legend.
Born into a cricketing family, Alec Stewart followed in the footsteps of his father, Micky Stewart, a former England Test player. Born on April 8, 1963, Stewart grew up in Merton Park and studied at schools in Kingston upon Thames. He made his mark early, debuting for Surrey in 1981, where he began building a reputation as a fearless opening batsman who could also keep wickets when required.
Over the years, his dedication and versatility made him one of England’s most reliable and respected cricketers. Stewart was always proud of his roots, remaining loyal to Surrey throughout his domestic career. A big fan of Chelsea Football Club, he wore the number 4 jersey in ODIs as a tribute to his childhood football hero, John Hollins. In First-Class cricket, Stewart played 447 matches and scored 26,165 runs.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries | Catches | Stumpings |
| FC | 447 | 734 | 26165 | 271* | 40.06 | 48 | 148 | 721 | 32 |
| List A | 504 | 474 | 14771 | 167* | 35.08 | 19 | 94 | 442 | 48 |
His top score was an unbeaten 271, and he averaged a solid 40.06. His record includes 48 centuries and 148 fifties, showing his ability to score big and stay consistent. Behind the stumps, he took 721 catches and completed 32 stumpings, proving his worth as a wicket-keeper too. In List A cricket, Stewart appeared in 504 matches, scoring 14,771 runs at an average of 35.08. He added 19 centuries and 94 fifties to his name, along with 442 catches and 48 stumpings.
After being a sensation in the domestic tournaments for the England team, Alec Stewart made his Test debut in the 1989/90 series against the West Indies. He started out as an opening batsman, while Jack Russell took care of wicketkeeping. But Stewart’s strong batting often gave him an edge, and to improve the team balance, he would step in with the gloves when needed. This back-and-forth continued until Russell’s retirement in 1998, after which Stewart became England’s regular wicketkeeper-batsman.
Over the years, Stewart built a reputation as one of England’s most dependable players, especially at the top of the order. His highest Test score of 190 came against Pakistan in 1992 at Edgbaston. During that time, he was in brilliant form, scoring four centuries in just five Tests. Another iconic performance came in 1994 when he scored hundreds in both innings (118 & 143) against the West Indies at their fortress in Bridgetown, a place England hadn’t won at since 1935.
Alec Stewart was born on 8th April 1963 and, interestingly, ended his Test career with exactly 8,463 runs, the same as his birth date, making it a special coincidence.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries | Catches | Stumpings |
| Tests | 133 | 235 | 8463 | 190 | 39.54 | 15 | 45 | 263 | 14 |
| ODIs | 170 | 162 | 4677 | 116 | 31.60 | 4 | 28 | 159 | 15 |
Stewart’s Test career included 133 matches and 8,463 runs. While his overall average of 39.54 was modest for a top batter, it tells only part of the story. When picked purely as a batsman, he averaged an impressive 46.90 across 51 Tests, better than many English greats. Even as a wicketkeeper-batsman, his average of 34.92 stood above many of his peers. He also holds the record for most Test runs without ever scoring a double century.
In 1998, Stewart was made captain at the age of 35. He led England to a comeback series win over South Africa, highlighted by his gritty 164 at Old Trafford. But after struggles against Australia and a disappointing 1999 World Cup, he was replaced by Nasser Hussain. Even after stepping down, Stewart remained an important part of the team for a few more years. One of his proudest moments came in 2000 when he scored a century in his 100th Test, a rare feat in cricket. He also set a record in ODIs, playing 28 matches as captain, wicketkeeper, and opening batsman and showing how much England relied on him.
After calling time on his playing days, Alec Stewart continued to contribute to the game in many different ways. In 2003, Stewart was also honoured on the show This Is Your Life, surprised on a golf course by host Michael Aspel. In 2004, he stepped into the world of player management by becoming one of the founding directors of Arundel Promotions. His job focused on guiding and representing cricketers, and he worked closely with big names like Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Ashley Giles, and Matt Prior.
By 2009, Stewart returned to Surrey County Cricket Club in a part-time coaching role. He used his vast experience to help players with batting and wicket keeping and also acted as a mentor for young talents. In 2011, his bond with the club grew stronger when he was appointed as an executive director. In June 2013, after Surrey parted ways with their head coach Chris Adams, Stewart stepped up and took charge of the first team temporarily.
A few months later, when Graham Ford was named head coach, Stewart moved into a more permanent role as the club’s Director of Cricket. He served in that role until announcing in early 2024 that he would step down by year’s end. Still, his journey with Surrey wasn’t over as by October, he agreed to stay on as a part-time high-performance advisor.