Andre Adams leads in Walter Lawrence Trophy in UK

Andre Adams leads in Walter Lawrence Trophy in UK

When New Zealand all-rounder Andre Adams, made his debut in the English county cricket for Essex against Leicestershire at Grace Road, Leicester, this week, he also became the latest contender for the prestigious Walter Lawrence Trophy.

Adams scored his maiden first-class English hundred off 80 balls in 109 minutes with four sixes and 12 fours.

His innings clipped nine balls off the previous fastest century - by Brian Lara for the West Indians against the MCC at Arundel last week. Adams took his score to 124 in 125 minutes, hitting seven sixes and 13 fours. Last year’s winner was Damien Martyn who received a cheque for £5000 Aon Ltd, supporters of the Trophy, having made the fastest hundred of the season off 65 balls for Yorkshire against Gloucestershire at Headingley on 17 September 2003.

This year the Walter Lawrence Trophy celebrates its 70th anniversary and a special ceremonial presentation will take place in recognition of this event on September 24 in the NatWest Media Centre at Lord’s. Previous winners of this award will also be attending the ceremony and will receive silver medallions in recognition of their past achievements. Instituted in 1934, the Walter Lawrence Trophy is awarded to the batsman who scores the fastest century, off the fewest balls received, in first-class cricket each season.

Other previous winners include Ken Rutherford, Chris Cairns, Darren Lehmann, Ian Harvey, Matthew Fleming, Gary Sobers, Gordon Greenidge, Alan Knott, Mike Procter, Viv Richards, Ian Botham, Mike Gatting, Graeme Hick and Andy Flintoff.

The fastest century so far is Tom Moody’s 100 off 36 balls, scored in1990 during the Warwickshire v Glamorgan match at Swansea.

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