David ‘Syd’ Lawrence: Trailblazing England bowler dies after MND battle

22 Jun 2025 • 5:27 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • David 'Syd' Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to play for England, has died at the age of 61 after a battle with motor neurone disease.
  • Lawrence took 18 wickets in five Tests for England and was a formidable fast bowler for Gloucestershire, where he claimed 625 wickets in 280 matches.
  • His playing career was prematurely ended at 28 by a severe knee injury sustained during a Test match in 1992.
  • After retiring, Lawrence became a competitive bodybuilder and nightclub owner, and later served as Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's first black president.
  • He was recently awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to Cricket and had published his autobiography, 'In Syd's Voice', this month.

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