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 Friends Provident Trophy (50-over format), NatWest Pro40 League (40-over format),
and Twenty20 Cup (20-over format), all qualify as well as the County Chamionship, Test Matches in
England, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. 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
University Centres of Excellence, it was been 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.