Former England Fast Bowler Lawrence Dies Aged 61

Former England and Gloucestershire accelerated bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence has died astatine nan property of 61.

Lawrence, nan first British-born achromatic cricketer to correspond England, was diagnosed pinch motor neurone illness (MND), external past year.

He was appointed MBE successful nan King's Birthday Honours earlier this period aft raising money and consciousness of nan condition.

Lawrence played 5 Test matches for England and took 625 wickets successful 280 matches during a 16-year profession astatine Gloucestershire.

"'Syd' was an inspirational fig connected and disconnected nan cricket section and nary much truthful than to his family who were pinch him erstwhile he passed," said a family connection announcing his death.

He made his first-class debut for nan region successful 1981, gaining nan nickname Syd aft the British bandleader., external

Lawrence went connected to return 3 wickets connected his Test debut against Sri Lanka astatine Lord's successful 1988.

A bowler tin of reaching utmost pace, Lawrence did not play again for England until 1991 erstwhile took 14 wickets crossed 3 Tests and played his sole one-day world nan aforesaid summer.

However, his profession was curtailed by a superior knee wounded suffered while playing for England against New Zealand nan pursuing winter.

He played 4 County Championship matches successful a comeback successful 1997 but did not play again successful top-level cricket afterwards.

After status he became a nightclub proprietor and amateur bodybuilder earlier being named Gloucestershire's nine president successful 2022.

He continued successful nan domiciled aft his MND test past twelvemonth and has been a salient campaigner to support those pinch nan disease.

In an question and reply pinch BBC Breakfast successful September, Lawrence said he had been inspired by erstwhile England and Leeds rugby convention subordinate Rob Burrow, who died from nan unwellness earlier past year, and had spoken to Burrow's friend and erstwhile team-mate Kevin Sinfield aft his ain diagnosis.

When Gloucestershire won nan T20 Blast past year, location were affectional scenes erstwhile skipper James Bracey presented Lawrence pinch nan trophy.

Gloucestershire's players and supporters wore pinkish during a 'Pink4Syd' time during a T20 connected Friday.

Lawrence precocious released a autobiography, In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Syd Lawrence, which shares nan highest points of his profession and friendly moments and memories of his life.

He leaves woman Gaynor and boy Buster.

"A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took connected each situation pinch everything he could and his last title pinch MND was nary different," his family added.

"His willingness to promote and deliberation of others correct up to nan extremity was emblematic of nan man he was."