The Trophy

Picture:
The Walter Lawrence Trophy

The Walter Lawrence Trophy was instigated in 1934. It is awarded at the end of each English cricket
season to the batsman who scores the fastest century from the fewest balls received, (excluding wides).
Centuries scored in the Clydesdale Bank 40 (40-over format), Friends Provident T20 (20-over format) and the County Championship, all qualify as well as Test Matches, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals played in England. There is a panel of adjudicators to ensure that each potential award-winning century is made against authentic bowling.

In 1996 it was decided to exclude University games from the Trophy itself. With the establishment of the
MCC University Centres of Excellence, it was decided to introduce an award for the highest score by a
University batsman in the MCC Universities matches played against each other or the first-class Counties, this also includes the Varsity match.