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Joe Clarke has won the Walter Lawrence Trophy for the fastest hundred in the Vitality Blast this summer.
The Green and Golds' top-order batsman struck an unbeaten 44-ball century against Durham to give the Outlaws the perfect start to the competition.
Joe becomes the seventh Nottinghamshire player to win the Walter Lawrence Trophy, now in its 86th year, joining Joe Hardstaff in 1937, Cyril Poole (1949), Garfield Sobers (1968 and 1974), Paul Johnson (1993), Chris Cairns (1995) and Mark Ealham (2006).
Chasing a total of 182, the 24-year-old was dropped on eight before sharing a second-wicket stand of 105 and finishing with an unbeaten 100 to see his side home with 28 balls to spare.
His innings, which included seven fours and eight sixes, was only the fourth T20 hundred scored by a Notts Outlaw.
The Walter Lawrence Trophy was first introduced in 1934 by master builder Sir Walter Lawrence who was so passionate about cricket that he created his own ground at Hyde Hall, near Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire.
Hyde Hall played host to most of the county sides of the day, and visitors to the ground were entertained in the true tradition of country house cricket.
In 1934 he offered his personal patronage to the game by introducing an award for the fastest hundred scored in an English season in a First-Class innings.
Sir Walter Lawrence died in 1939. His son Guy did not share his father’s passion for cricket, and consequently there was no presentation during the Second World War – nor for many years after.
However, in 1965 Brian Thornton inherited the Trophy on the death of his father-in-law, Guy Lawrence, and the following year reinstated the award for the fastest Test century by an England batsman, with the help of MCC and many others, including Brian Johnston.
In 1970 the Trophy reverted to its original form for the fastest First-Class century during the English cricket season. Also in that year the award was presented for ‘the most meritorious innings of the England v The Rest of the World series’ to Geoff Boycott, for his 222-ball century at The Oval.
In 1985 the basis for the award was changed from minutes to the number of balls faced. The fastest century under the pre-1985 system was Steve O’Shaughnessy’s hundred in 35 minutes for Lancashire v Leicestershire at Old Trafford in 1983.
The fastest century so far is Tom Moody’s 100 off 36 balls scored in 1990 during the Warwickshire v Glamorgan match at Swansea.
In 2008 the trophy was opened for the first time to all the domestic county competitions.
Now centuries scored across all domestic and international matches in England are eligable.
Well Done Joe !
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading about the
Walter Lawrence Trophy, a very fine award to win.
Becomes one of a "Famous Seven" from Notts
Getting my Enid Blyton titles mixed up !
Yes, well done to Joe Clarke. I recall "Johnno" winning the award and the achievement was always reported on teletext. Had forgot Chris Cairns also won it in 1995 and am a bit surprised.He was a very good overseas signing in his first spells with us but when he returned around this time for, I think, another 2 years was pretty ineffective. This was largely down to injuries which meant he could not bowl to anything like the level he was normally capable of. In fact, I recall him playing as a batsman only in some games and fielding in the slips due to his fitness levels. Amazing to think for a while we had him and Chris Lewis in the side at the same time, two of the leading all rounders in world cricket at that time, but were pretty unsuccessful despite this.
ReplyDeleteWe were strong in with those two in 1994, the year Brian Lara bestrode county cricket like a colossus and Warwickshire won the champoinship by miles. I'm sure we beat them at Edgbaston and perhaps even at home as well. I believe from memory that we were third and we also beat Lancashire who were second at least once. Of course most of this may be drivel but that is my recollection.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anon. Yes,you are certainly right regarding one Brian Charles Lara in that year. I think he hit 501no against Durham and he also held the Test record score having overhauled Sir Garfield's 365 to 375 I think. Great story about him taking his mobile phone onto the field with him to talk to his agent. Truly great batsman, a Captains nightmare according to the Bears Demott Reeve I recall. I suspect you are correct with your top knowledge. I believe we had Alan Ormrod as Head Coach and the brilliant Paul Johnson who was club capitano in that year also,
DeleteLovely memories
ReplyDeleteFrom better times
We didnt know then what we know now!
The 501 score will for a 100 years. Cannot forsee the circumstances of it being surpassed
The top three in the championship in 1994 were Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Notts. In mid August Notts became the only team to beat the Bears winnings by an innings and 43 runs, Chris Lewis scoring 220 not out. Of course in those days the championship was a single Division and teams played each team once (17 games). Tim Robinson was the skipper of Notts that season.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for you to spot my deliberate mistake as Captain Mainwaring would say.
DeleteChris Lewis - fine athlete. Never fulfilled his potential.
ReplyDeleteFell in with the wrong company and ended up a guest at her Majesty's pleasure. Think he is now touring schools and youth clubs telling vulnerable young people to avoid drugs.
Yes Chris is fascinating to listen to
ReplyDeleteAn inspiration how he has turned his life round