David "Syd" Lawrence was one of England's most powerful and passionate fast bowlers whose career promised greatness until it was tragically cut short by a horrific knee injury in 1992. In this video, we explore Syd Lawrence’s complete life and career journey—from his debut as England’s first British-born Black cricketer in 1988 to becoming Gloucestershire’s first Black president and later a fighter raising awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).
Lawrence played 5 Tests and 1 ODI for England, famously taking a 5-wicket haul against the West Indies at The Oval. He also had an outstanding domestic career, taking 515 first-class wickets and 155 List A wickets, terrorizing batters with his fiery pace.
But tragedy struck in Wellington, 1992, when he fractured his kneecap mid-run-up—an injury so severe that it ended his international dreams. Despite this, Syd remained a figure of strength and resilience. He returned briefly in 1997, became a nightclub owner and bodybuilder, and, most importantly, an advocate for inclusion and diversity in cricket.
After being diagnosed with MND in 2024, Lawrence continued to inspire through fundraising events like "Pink 4 Syd," and his autobiography, "In Syd’s Voice," was published just a week before his passing. In 2025, he was honored with an MBE and became an Honorary Life Vice-President of the ECB.
This video covers:
His cricket stats and achievements
His debut and breakthrough moments
The heartbreaking injury
His post-cricket life
His fight with MND
The legacy he leaves behind
🙏 Rest in Peace, Syd Lawrence—a true fighter, both on the field and in life.
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