Master Blaster Rewarded At Last!

Sir Vivian Richards, double-winner of the Walter Lawrence Trophy, which is awarded for the fastest hundred of the season, finally received his spoils some three decades on during the Lord’s Test.

Brian Thornton presents Sir Vivian Richards with the Walter Lawrence Trophy and his medallions, while Lorraine Larmer, Senior PR & Communications Manager of Veuve Clicquot, is ready with the Champagne.
Photograph by Sarah Williams

The legendary West Indian batsman, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, won the Trophy first in 1980, when it was awarded on time, with a 66-minute hundred for The West Indians against Glamorgan at Swansea. Six years later the luckless Glamorgan were once again on the receiving end as Richards blasted a 48-ball century for Somerset in the County Championship match at Taunton.

Surprising the great man in the TMS box on the second day of the First Test between England and West Indies, Trophy President Brian Thornton quipped: ‘Viv – After 32 years I’ve caught up with you at last! I have two Walter Lawrence Trophy sterling silver medallions in my pocket with your name on them, commemorating the two fastest hundreds you struck in the 1980s. I also have a jeroboam of Veuve Clicquot Champagne for you to enjoy with your colleagues.’

Sir Vivian Richards with the Walter Lawrence Trophy.
Photograph by Sarah Williams

Now in its 78th year, the Walter Lawrence Trophy is open to all domestic county competitions as well as One-Day Internationals, Twenty20 Internationals and Test Matches in England.