Unlike the likes of Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram, his deeds have largely gone unnoticed by the national selectors.
But the Canterbury journeyman demonstrated his hitting power with a rapid half century to help his side seal a six-wicket win against Otago at the University Oval last night.
The Volts reached a useful total of 185 for four.
Brendon McCullum was in nonchalant form smashing 64 off 44 deliveries, and Otago skipper Craig Cumming played a valuable hand whacking 53 off 29.
But they were both upstaged by Stewart.
The 27-year-old right-hander made a relatively sedate start but, with his side lagging behind the required run-rate, he shifted gear and launched an assault.
He started with off-spinner Nathan McCullum, smashing him back over his head for two consecutive sixes, then he lined up Pakistan international Yasir Arafat.
Arafat had bowled quite well up to that point but dished up a pair of leg-side full tosses and a half volley.
It cost him two fours and a six.
Stewart was not the only Canterbury batsman to profit from buffet bowling.
Craig McMillan sent a full toss from Neil Wagner over the temporary stand and Peter Fulton whipped another waist-high gimme over Logan Park drive for a colossal six.
Ian Butler, who took six for 28 in his last outing, bowled his share of tripe as well.
It was easily Otago's worst bowling performance, something a grinning Stewart acknowledged.
"That's the way it goes in twenty/20.
"If they miss their mark slightly, you can get after it," he said.
"It takes a lot of skill but there is a bit of luck involved as well."
Canterbury is out of contention in the twenty/20 tournament but Stewart said there was still plenty to play for.
"We're second in the one-day tournament and we need to get some momentum before it resumes."
There is also pride in performance and spots up for grabs in the Black Caps, he said.
As for his own selection prospects, Stewart said all he could do was keep scoring runs and put pressure on the incumbents.
Refreshingly, Stewart scored his runs the old-fashioned way.
Instead of shuffling around the crease and trying to outfox the bowlers, or opting for high-risk ramp shots or reverse sweeps, he simply played the delivery on its merit to great effect.
Peter Fulton chipped in with 39 and McMillan an undefeated 29 off 18 deliveries, but Stewart's 56 off 33 was the highlight.
Earlier, Brendon McCullum looked poised for a repeat of his fabulous undefeated 100 in his last knock.
He cracked a short delivery from Chris Martin over midwicket with brutal precision and Hamish Rutherford also entertained.
The pair combined in an opening stand of 63.
The in-form Neil Broom took time to get set and never really dominated the bowling.
Brendon McCullum got a nick through to the wicketkeeper and, with his departure, the Volts' innings lost some momentum.
Cumming found plenty of gaps and the boundary when needed, and Nathan McCullum faced one delivery and swatted it for six.
"I think 185 was a good score but it certainly wasn't a winning score," Otago coach Mike Hesson said.
"I think you have to give credit to Shanan Stewart and McMillan at the end.
"It is always a tough ground to defend but we'd have to be disappointed with the way we bowled."
