The Gloucestershire Club President and Former England Cricketer David Lawrence has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
David Lawrence Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease
The club announced David Lawrence on Friday making him the recent sportsperson affected by MND. Recently, former Rugby player Rob Burrow passed away due to the disease earlier this month.
David Lawrence the former Gloucestershire and England fast bowler has played for five tests for England and has featured for 280 matches for Gloucestershire, picking 625 wickets for the club.
Gloucestershire is devastated to announce its former player and current President, David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Everyone at the Club sends their best wishes to David, his wife Gaynor and their family during this extremely difficult time.
— Gloucestershire Cricket (@Gloscricket) June 21, 2024
The Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown said, “Everyone at the club is devastated to hear of the news from David Lawrence and his MND diagnosis.”
“David is an icon of the game, a club legend and a trailblazer as the first British-born Black player to play for England. More than that he is the best of people, kind, loving, considerate, and an inspiration to all of us here at Gloucestershire.”
“Working with him since he has been club president has been both an awesome and humbling experience – he has opened doors we didn’t even know were there, helped us learn and become a friend to so many of us. That friendship is a very special thing and one I know we all cherish.
“I know I speak for everyone associated with the club in sending all our love to David, Gaynor [Lawrence’s wife] and all of their family and friends.”
Lawrence played five tests and one ODI for England between 1988 and 1992 but fractured his kneecap as he ran into a bowl against New Zealand in Wellington which ended his cricketing career.
He attempted a comeback five years later, playing four first-class games for Gloucestershire before retiring. Despite his injury, he continued to stay fit and took up competitive bodybuilding in later life.
In 2021, He spoke about his racist experience at Gloucestershire for which the club offered an apology. He has been involved with delivering the African-Carribean Engagement Programme in Bristol.
While speaking about David Lawrence, the managing director of member services at the Professional Cricketers’ Association said, “The PCA is in deep shock at the tragic news David Lawrence has recently received. David has been an inspiration throughout his cricket and post-cricket career and we have no doubt he will continue to fight and show his determination to fight MND.”
“The PCA and the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, the players’ charity, will be here for David and importantly, his family, offering the best possible support,” concluded Ian Thomas.
Currently, the club is involved in the ongoing T20 Blast 2024 and secured three victories out of seven matches they played so far. They are set to play their next match against Somerset at Seat Unique Stadium.
