David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, Gloucestershire CCC’s club president, has died at the age of 61. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2024 and was awarded an MBE last month for raising money for and awareness of the condition.
“Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time,” the club said in a statement.
Lawrence’s storied life and career contained many chapters. Born on January 28, 1984 in Gloucester, he made his England debut in 1988 at the age of 22, the first British-born Black man to do so. Known for his extreme pace, his international career was effectively ended by a horrific knee injury suffered while bowling in New Zealand in 1992, with spectators recounting how the sound echoed around the ground like a pistol shot.
He made a short-lived county comeback in 1997, while lift after cricket saw him compete as a bodybuilder and work as the owner of a Bristol nightclub. He was announced as Gloucestershire’s president in 2022, another first.
“I'm a local boy, born in Gloucester itself and I came to Bristol when I was 16, so to be back as President is a great honour for me,” Lawrence said at the time. “It does show you how far we've come as a Club, it shows me where the game is going and needs to go. But I'm not here just as a token gesture, and what I mean by that is a lot has happened in cricket over the last six months, and we know we need to do more within the game. I'm happy to be making sure we are going in the right direction. It's time for more diversity and I know that I'm going to be the first President of colour at Gloucestershire and that means a lot to me.”
Lawrence was diagnosed with MND, a progressive neurological disease affecting the nerves that control muscle movement, in 2024. Soon after, he joined in Gloucestershire’s dressing room celebrations after the club lifted the T20 Blast trophy, their first silverware in nine years.
He published an autobiography, In Syd’s Voice, written in collaboration with cricket journalist Dean Wilson, earlier this month.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease,” read a statement from his family. “‘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.”
Tributes have poured in from across the English game. “David ‘Syd’ Lawrence was a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion,” said ECB chair Richard Thompson. “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. Even in the face of his illness, David showed extraordinary strength and dignity, continuing to uplift others with his resilience and spirit. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who love cricket. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community at this time.”
