By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Hamilton, March 8 NZPA - Until now, Shanan Stewart's biggest claims to fame were playing a bit of cricket for New Zealand A and being born on the same day as Prince William.

Jibes about being "a bit of a veteran" were heading his way in the Canterbury dressing room as the 27-year-old right-hander neared journeyman status on the first-class scene.

So it was with a touch of shock and bemusement that Stewart took a call yesterday from New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch, summoning him from New Plymouth to Hamilton for a potential one-day international debut against Australia tomorrow.

It helped that he'd only just unstrapped the pads after plundering 227 not out against Central Districts at Pukekura Park, a week after an unbeaten 161 against Northern Districts, and had recently earned a spot in the 30-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup.

"It's a dream and if you want to make your debut you may as well make it against the best and see where you're at," he told a gaggle of reporters at Seddon Park today.

Stewart made his first-class debut in 2001-02 and built a reputation as someone who could certainly hit the ball hard, but who tended to sell his wicket cheaply.

This season he shed some kilos and worked overtime with Bob Carter, his Canterbury coach and former assistant with the New Zealand side.

"I give him a lot of credit," Stewart said.

"He's got me to where I am at the moment. I've never really done any work on the technical side of batting and Bob has been unreal with me with that."

The runs piled up this summer; 401 at an average of 44.55 in the domestic one-day competition and, after his recent feasts, 607 in the Plunket Shield at 75.87.

He arrived at New Zealand training today, plonked a red Canterbury helmet on his shaven head, and wasn't shy to send a few soaring out of the nets.

"It's just having a clear mind, being confident in yourself and being aggressive, hopefully I can carry that on."

He labelled Seddon Park his favourite venue, having scored a memorable century here to book Canterbury a semifinal spot last season, and in his online player profile rated opposition captain Ricky Ponting his most admired player.

"He's the best batter in the world and on his day he's untouchable."

Stewart will sweat on Ross Taylor's fitness overnight but with captain Daniel Vettori rating Taylor (hamstring) only 50-50, it seems a new Black Cap is likely in the No 6 spot.

"He's scored runs for a long time now for Canterbury and he's a very good player of spin bowling," Vettori said.

"He's quite aggressive in those middle stages. I think Twenty20 cricket has really helped his game, and of late he's in form. Whilst it's four-day cricket he'll still be feeling good about himself."