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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />This video covers:<br /><br />His cricket stats and achievements<br /><br />His debut and breakthrough moments<br /><br />The heartbreaking injury<br /><br />His post-cricket life<br /><br />His fight with MND<br /><br />The legacy he leaves behind<br /><br />🙏 Rest in Peace, Syd Lawrence—a true fighter, both on the field and in life.<br /><br />🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, & subscribe for more cricket stories and tributes.<br /><br />#DavidLawrence #SydLawrence #EnglandCricket #FastBowler #MND #CricketTribute #CricketLegends #Gloucestershire #Pink4Syd #CricketHistory #TestCricket #CricketInjuries #InSydsVoice #MBEAwards #InclusionInCricket #CricketInspiration
