Carlson The Front Runner
As the season enters its final weeks, Glamorgan skipper, Kiran Carlson, looks set to clinch the Walter Lawrence Trophy, awarded for the fastest century of the season, with a 42-ball hundred scored for his county against Somerset in the Vitality Blast match at Cardiff way back on May 29.
Having won the toss and opting to bowl first, Glamorgan were faced with overhauling Somerset’s total of 171-9 in their 20 overs.
Opening the batting, Carlson led the chase with partner Will Smale, unleashing some Welsh fireworks as they put on 146 for the first wicket. Kiran brought up his hundred in 42 balls before falling for 109, during which he smote 6 sixes and 13 fours. The home victory was soon achieved by 7 wickets with 37 balls remaining.
In 2016 Carlson made his first-class debut for Glamorgan against Northants and that year he became the youngest player to score a first-class century for Glamorgan, against Essex, aged 18 years and 119 days.
The 28-year-old right-hand bat and off-break bowler was born in Cardiff, educated at Whitechurch College and studied engineering at Cardiff University, combining his degree with cricket.
Having led the side in limited-overs cricket for four years, Kiran took over as county captain this year and in May scored his maiden double-hundred, 209 off 232 balls, against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl. Later in the season he represented London Spirit in The Hundred competition.
The Walter Lawrence Trophy, now in its 92nd year, is awarded for the fastest hundred of the season and is open to all domestic county competitions as well as One-Day Internationals, T20 Internationals, The Hundred and Test matches in England. Along with the Trophy, the winner will receive £2,500 plus a special medallion at the Walter Lawrence Trophy Presentation Dinner in the Long Room at Lord’s in November.
Tahalia’s Tally
Meanwhile in the Walter Lawrence Women’s Award, for the player who makes the highest individual score in a season from ECB domestic cup games and all England Women’s matches played on home soil, Tahalia Wilson has been in pole position since April 15 after she thumped 152 for Durham’s Women against Essex in the Women’s One-Day-Cup match at Chester-le-Street.
Thanks to Tahalia’s career-highest innings, scored off 163 balls, and including 15 fours, Durham set a target of 311-3 from their 50 overs, which Essex fell short of by 23 runs.
Born in Figtree, New South Wales, the 26-year-old Australian wicket-keeper plays for New South Wales Breakers in the Women’s National Cricket League and has represented Australia Under-19s, Australia Women, Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, as well as Durham.
The winner of the Walter Lawrence Women’s Award will receive £2,500 plus a special medallion at the Walter Lawrence Trophy Presentation Dinner in the Long Room at Lord’s in November.