David ‘Syd’ Lawrence dead at 61: Former England bowler passes away

Cricket is mourning the death at the age of 61 of David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, the popular and wholehearted England and Gloucestershire fast bowler who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease a year ago.

Lawrence played five Tests for England between 1988 and 1992 and took 515 first-class wickets in a career lasting 17 years, and was made an MBE last week in the King’s birthday honours list. 

In 2022, he was named president of Gloucestershire, the first black man to fill the role.

His autobiography, In Syd’s Voice, was published earlier this month, but the ravages of the illness were fast catching up on him.

On Friday night, his old county’s T20 Blast game against Hampshire at Bristol turned pink in his honour, to raise awareness of the disease and funds to help fight it. He died the following day.

Lawrence was one of the fastest bowlers on the county circuit in his pomp, forming a lethal new-ball pairing with the West Indies quick Courtney Walsh, who became one of his closest friends. 

He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 1988, taking the prize wicket of Aravinda de Silva to help set up an England win.

But his career was cut cruelly short by a sickening injury against New Zealand at Wellington in February 1992, when he fractured his left kneecap during his delivery stride and was stretchered off in agony. 

He never played for England again, though he did make a brief comeback five years later, playing four more championship games for Gloucestershire before calling it a day.

After suffering from depression, he embarked on a new career as a nightclub owner and restaurateur in Bristol, and enjoyed an unexpected career as a body builder, winning an amateur title in the West of England for the Over-40s.

A Gloucestershire statement read: ‘Syd was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field, and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed.

‘A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. 

‘His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.

‘As President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it.

‘Syd’s wife Gaynor and son Buster thank everyone for the kindness and support that has been shown to them and the family so far and would ask that they are now given some time and space to grieve in private.’

ECB chairman Richard Thompson said: ‘David “Syd” Lawrence was a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion.

‘His impact on the game extended far beyond the boundary ropes. As a fast bowler, he thrilled crowds with his pace and passion. 

‘As a leader and advocate, he broke barriers and inspired change, becoming a powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport.’