David Lawrence, England’s first British-born black cricketer, passes away at age 61

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) paid tribute to David Lawrence, the former England fast bowler who died on June 22. Lawrence, affectionately known as ‘Syd’, had an indelible impact on English cricket, both on and off the pitch.

Lawrence was born in Gloucester in 1964 and progressed through the ranks at Gloucestershire to become one of the most exciting fast bowlers of his period. He made his England debut in 1988, bringing raw pace and enthusiasm to the international scene. He played five Tests and one One-Day International for England. His best effort came against the West Indies at The Oval in 1991, when he took 5 for 106.

Lawrence’s career was cut short in 1992 after he got a catastrophic knee injury during a Test match in Wellington. Despite his premature retirement, Lawrence remained deeply committed in the game. He became a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in cricket, utilising the platform to inspire the next generation. Notably, he was the first British-born Black player to play for England in Test cricket.

In 2024, Lawrence was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. His contributions to the sport and society were recognised in 2025, when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours. That same year, he was also named one of the inaugural Honorary Life Vice-Presidents of the ECB.