18-07-2025
Funeral of England cricket legend Syd Lawrence held in Bristol
The funeral of England cricket legend David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE is being held in Bristol today.
The former fast bowler, who played for Gloucestershire as well as the national team, died aged 61 last month after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2024.
A service is being held at St Mary Redcliffe Church in the city, where family, close friends and former team-mates will gather to remember the cricketer who became a legend of the sport.
The lasting legacy of a cricketing legend
David 'Syd' Lawrence, was the first British-born black cricketer to represent England.
He was a strapping fast bowler who was renowned for being one of the quickest on the county circuit, Lawrence began to establish himself in Tests and a five-for against the West Indies in 1991 helped England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards among his haul.
But Lawrence's career all but ended the following year as he badly fractured his kneecap after falling awkwardly when running into bowl on the final day of a Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
His England days were immediately over aged 28 but he made a brief county comeback in 1997, playing four first-class games for Gloucestershire before hanging up his boots – 16 years after he first played professionally.
Lawrence became a competitive bodybuilder following his retirement and he was also a nightclub owner in Bristol.
After Lawrence detailed his experiences of racism during his playing career, Gloucestershire issued an unreserved apology in September 2021 and six months later he became the county's first black president.
He was appointed an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours weeks before he died for his services to cricket.
