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Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
David 'Syd' Lawrence dies aged 61 following cricket trailblazer's MND battle
Former England fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence has died aged 61, just 12 months after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Seldom, if ever, has a player who won just five Test caps left such an imprint on the game and all those who met him. Lawrence was a gloriously ebullient character, forever 'rocking and rumbling' through life's rapids and generating genuine pace from his busy, bustling approach to the crease. Although those five caps generated only 18 wickets, he enjoyed the distinction of being the last man to dismiss Sir Viv Richards - his boyhood idol - in Test cricket back in 1991. Barely six months later, his left knee effectively disintegrated in delivery stride as a Test against New Zealand, petering out towards a draw in Wellington, was suddenly decorated by a harrowing crack as his patella exploded and Lawrence's traumatic screams of pain reverberated around the Basin Reserve. Spectators said the sound of his knee splitting was "like a pistol shot' and Lawrence was eventually carried from the field on a stretcher, comforted by team mate Ian Botham. Despite two come-back attempts for his county, including the first after 13 months of punishing rehabilitation, when the same knee cracked again during a gym session, he was forced to retire from the sport at the age of 29. Ultimately, the legacy of his terrible injury was too much even for his supreme optimism. Lawrence reinvented himself as a bodybuilder and nightclub owner in Bristol, but he was already blessed with a formidable physique. Early in his career, playing for Gloucestershire's Second XI as a raw prospect, one of his team-mates left a banana skin outside his hotel room door - a racist trope from less enlightened times - and he vowed never to be the stooge of cheap comedians again. The first British-born black player to represent England vowed to work so hard in the gym that nobody would ever mess with him again. It was former England opener and Gloucestershire team-mate Chris Broad who bestowed the nickname 'Syd' on Lawrence, after the famous band leader, and he loved it. But it was a perverse allocation of outrageous fortune that he should be diagnosed with such a terrible wasting disease - the same condition that claimed rugby league hero Rob Burrow - in June 2024. How could such a super-fit specimen who exuded health and fitness be selected by insidious forces to suffer such a dreadful fate? Lawrence bore the symptoms of rapid physical decline with immense dignity, and his friends in the cricket fraternity were thrilled when he was awarded the MBE in the King's Birthday Honours earlier this month. A statement from Lawrence's family said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease. '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. 'As president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it. 'Syd's wife Gaynor and son Buster thank everyone for the kindness and support that has been shown to them and the family so far and would ask that they are now given some time and space to grieve in private.' 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. The county side posted on X: 'Gloucestershire are devastated to learn of the passing of former player and club president, David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE, aged 61. Everyone at Gloucestershire would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time.' Only last week, Lawrence received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for his outstanding services to cricket, while he had been working to raise money and awareness of his condition. He said: 'It is an incredibly proud moment. It is not something that I ever thought would sit after my name, but I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone.' Lawrence's MND diagnosis hastened his autobiography as he worried he would lose the ability to speak. Titled 'In Syd's Voice', written with the help of Dean Wilson, the book was published this month.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tragedy as ‘great young cricketer' dies leaving club devastated as tributes pour in for rising star
HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a talented young cricketer who tragically passed away. Josh Lawrence, who played for Surrey County Cricket Club, came through the ranks in different age groups. Josh was a well-liked figure and had represented the Second XI during his time at the club. A post on the club's Facebook page read: "Everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club were greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Surrey Academy graduate." Club Captain Rory Burns said: 'On behalf of the Club I'd like to extend my condolences to Josh's family and friends. "I played alongside Josh growing up and he was a great cricketer and a pleasure to share the field with. "I was greatly saddened to hear of his passing and my best wishes are with all who knew him.' Other tributes have since poured in on the club's Instagram page after news of Josh's passing broke. Many paid tribute to Josh, describing him as a "great lad" and a "top player". One person said: "Knew this youngster when he was 16 , a great young cricketer, so sorry to hear." Another wrote: "RIP Josh, so sad. Excellent batter, great captain at uni and some memorable nights out that will stay with me forever." A third user commented: "What a player. As talented batter as anyone I've ever watched. RIP mate." 1
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Somerset wobble at Hants on rain-shortened day
Rothesay County Championship Division One, Utilita Bowl (day one)Somerset 94-6: Lammonby 36; Wheal 2-18Hampshire: Yet to batHampshire 2 pts, Somerset 0 ptsMatch scorecard Kyle Abbott continued his impressive career record against Somerset as Hampshire made the most of little play on day one of their County Championship added two wickets to take his tally to 71 scalps versus Somerset, with 40 of them coming at an average of 12 at Utilita fast bowlers James Fuller and Brad Wheal also picked up a pair of wickets as Somerset collapsed to 94-6 at lunch – with three wickets falling in 11 balls just before the the visitors were spared any more damage as rain prevented any play taking place after Gregory's abdominal injury meant that James Rew captained his county for the first time in the Championship – having previously led the Second XI and England Under-19s. In doing so, he became the county's youngest ever first act was to call incorrectly at the toss, allowing Ben Brown to choose to bowl under threatening grey wait for the first wicket only lasted 34 balls, as Sean Dickson was late to deal with a Wheal in-ducker and was pinned in Vaughan and Tom Lammonby stabilised and attempted to build a foundation but having eased to a 55-run stand both fell within 13 deliveries to had been left out of the opening two rounds of the season in favour of former Somerset tearaway Sonny Baker. But Baker, who is on an ECB development contract, was rested, leaving the door open for been hit for two boundaries in his opening over, he tightened up before rolling his fingers down one to find some away movement and the edge of Vaughan's dismiss Lammonby, Fuller pitched it further up and angled it across the left-hander. He found the edge through to morning looked like it would end fairly even at 93-3 around 10 minutes until lunch, but Abbott returned to make it clear who the session belonged to with Banton could not have been more unlucky with his wicket. The middle-order batter whipped a half-volley with gusto but was sensationally caught by Nick then five balls later, Rew tentatively pushed behind. Tom Abell added one run before Kasey Aldridge was beaten for pace and had his off stump clattered by Wheal. 11 balls had seen one run and three at lunch meant not further action was possible, with an early finish confirmed just before 16:30 Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay
The Guardian
20-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
With over 100 caps, Emily Sonnett is the USWNT's secret veteran in a new generation
On Thursday night in Houston, Emma Hayes and the reigning Olympic gold medalists play their first game of 2025. Colombia, then Australia and Japan await the USWNT, who will test their mettle with a mix of new names and trusted talent in the 10th SheBelieves Cup. Ahead of the game, one lasting veteran with a sharp wit, tenacious style, and too-often unsung impact will be honored for reaching 100 caps: 31-year-old Georgia native Emily Sonnett. Sonnett's positional forays include time at full-back, center-back and defensive midfielder. That versatility has helped influence Sonnett's staying power in one of the world's elite sports teams. In the words of star forward Sophia Smith during a training session from October: 'This is our girl. She's played every role for this team you could possibly think of, and we love her.' Speaking to the Guardian, Sonnett described her evolution as the natural byproduct of a fiercely competitive environment. 'I sometimes joke, it's kind of like survival of the fittest,' she says. 'How can I accumulate all these positions? Because that's the point that I'm in, in my career, to be able to make rosters, to become desirable to make rosters … I enjoy playing center-back, but I also enjoy understanding that I fill a lot of roles, and if that allows me to play and serve the team in a way, I can do that.' Sonnett was selected first overall in the 2016 NWSL Draft by Portland Thorns, and helped the west coast juggernauts win the NWSL championship the following season. She has won two NWSL championships, one NWSL Challenge Cup, was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2018, and NWSL Second XI in 2019. But as ever-present as she has been, Sonnett's entry to the USWNT was far from a given. 'I think the one thing I think about for my personal journey, it didn't come quickly, she said. 'I wasn't seeing starts or a lot of game time early on. I actually never thought I'd reach 100 caps. I've never been a true starter for this team. So maybe that created a little more of this work ethic that you have to bring excellence every day to make rosters, to make the game day roster, just for friendlies, to even get on the field. If you're bringing that step-by-step, goal-oriented mentality, you might accidentally stay around for a little longer than you think.' Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Sonnett's 100th cap, which she collected in the USA's 3-1 win against Iceland on 24 October, makes her just the 45th player to reach that milestone. It's a run that includes two World Cups, two Olympics and myriad international tournaments beyond that. But her experience and example may prove even more essential than ever before. This February, with NWSL still in preseason, just 12 of the US's 22 gold medalists are on the SheBelieves Cup roster. As Hayes looks to build a wider pool of talent, she's named four uncapped players, and 10 who've clocked four or fewer appearances for the USWNT. Sonnett is one of just three players with 100 caps or more in camp (and one of six with over 30), making her a clear veteran in the squad. Earlier this month, in an interview with US veteran Ali Krieger on ESPN, Emma Hayes described Sonnett as 'someone who is diligent in the background, is always doing everything she can possibly do. And my message is, be ready.' 'I'm probably someone who leads a lot by example, and being coachable,' Sonnett says. 'How can I do my best to be seen by other new players or returning players? So that's like a constant reminder for everyone that we have to be working hard, but also applying what we're learning.' Sonnett describes the present moment with Hayes as one where layers of complexity are continually added in, as the team builds toward their next big run in 2027. 'I think what I really appreciate about Emma and her staff, they're always forward thinking, always layering in,' Sonnett says. 'I think the Olympics was the tip of the iceberg of how they can teach in such a short amount of time.'
