Matthew Fleming is the new holder of the Walter Lawrence Trophy for scoring the fastest first-class hundred of the 2002 season.

His 66-ball century for Kent against the touring Sri Lankans at Canterbury on 29 April was not under serious threat until the final round of County Championship matches when Neil Carter raced to his maiden hundred off 67 balls for Warwickshire against Sussex at Hove.

Fleming, who has now retired from first-class cricket after 14 seasons, will receive the Trophy and the £5,000 prize from Aon, the sponsors of the Trophy, at a dinner in the Long Room at Lord's on 1 October.

Kent and Canterbury have dominated the Walter Lawrence Trophy since its inception in 1934.

The legendary left-handed all-rounder Frank Woolley was the very first winner with a 63-minute century against Northamptonshire at Dover. Leslie Ames, Asif Iqbal, Alan Knott, Carl Hooper and now Matthew Fleming have followed him.

No other county can claim six holders. Although the six winning innings at the St Lawrence Ground include those by visiting players, no other venue can match that tally - St Helen's at Swansea is runner-up with five.

The Walter Lawrence Trophy and a prize is awarded each season to the batsman who scores the fastest century, off the fewest balls received.

© Walter Lawrence Trophy