
Funeral of cricket legend Syd Lawrence ends with tributes
Date: 16:00 BST
Title: 'Rest easy big man'
Content: Perhaps fittingly on the day one of their most popular players was laid to rest, Gloucestershire head to Somerset tonight to face their local rivals in a T20 Blast clash where fans will be hoping they show the same fighting spirit that epitomised the career of David "Syd" Lawrence.
The last word goes to Trojan Fitness in Bristol, the gym which Lawrence was connected to as a bodybuilder, who said on X, external simply: "Rest easy now big man."
Update:
Date: 15:59 BST
Title: Our coverage is ending
Content: Our live coverage of the funeral of David 'Syd' Lawrence is coming to an end now, thank you for following it with us as friends and family said goodbye to the Bristol and Gloucestershire legend.
Update:
Date: 15:55 BST
Title: 'I'm not scared to die'
Content: Lawrence, the Gloucestershire president, with James Bracey after the club won their first T20 Blast title in 2024
In an interview with BBC Breakfast in September, following his MND diagnosis, Lawrence said it was tough to have to rely on people.
"If you've been a big strong man all your life and this comes and hits you, it's a tough one to take. Really tough," he said.
"I always wanted to do things for people and now I have to rely on people to do things for me. I need a carer every day to dress me, to shower me. You've got to park your ego at the door and get on with it," he added.
Talking about death, Lawrence told the BBC he was not scared to die.
"Most people are scared of not knowing but I know how I am going to die. You can't look too much into the future, that will scare you. We are all going to die. I just know how I am going to die. I'm not scared," he added.
Update:
Date: 15:50 BST
Title: Hundreds attended funeral
Content: More than 300 people were at the funeral, demonstrating how popular and influential Lawrence was a cricketer and a person.
Many remained outside the church to share memories of him.
Update:
Date: 15:30 BST
Title: Funeral now ended
Content: Pallbearers and the congregation have started to leave the church, following the funeral service.
Update:
Date: 15:14 BST
Title: 'He took the illness head on'
Content: Former cricketer Andy Brassington said he was with Lawrence, who he was friends with for more than 44 years, just an hour before his death.
"He's given hope to people. We all need heroes, we all need idols and Syd was there for so many people," he said.
"It's been a terrible illness. He took it head on, like he did with everything.
"His appearance was everything to him, yet he put himself in the shop window to show people how this disease can tear your body apart."
Speaking outside the church Lawrence's funeral is taking place, Mr Brassington added he "has lost a best mate".
"It was a difficult situation for us all, and it was time for Syd to go. But right until the end was there he was positive."
Update:
Date: 15:10 BST
Title: 'Your background doesn't matter'
Content: Lawrence's first captain, David Graveney said: "His legacy to the game is in many, many forms."
Mr Graveney, who is now Vice Chairman of Gloucestershire, said he had watched Lawrence develop from a county bowler into an international star.
"The fact he was the first English-born black person to play for England was a thing he was very proud of and he was the first black president of the cricket club - another thing he was really proud of.
"He shows that actually it doesn't matter what your background is. If you apply yourself then the sky's the limit," Mr Graveney added.
Update:
Date: 15:02 BST
Title: Details of the service
Content: The service is now under way at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol.
Revd Rupert Martin is leading the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'.
A eulogy will be read by George Orchard, followed by family tributes from Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and Buster - Lawrence's son.
The Bristol Reggae Windrush Choir, which performed outside the church before the service began, will also be singing as part of the service.
The service will end with a reflection from the Rev Martin.
The funeral will be followed by a wake at the County Ground in north Bristol.
Update:
Date: 14:58 BST
Title: 'MBE will be part of my legacy'
Content: Lawrence received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours in June for his services to cricket.
Referring to the MBE letters, in an interview with the BBC, Lawrence said: "It is not something I ever thought would sit after my name.
"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."
Update:
Date: 14:46 BST
Title: 'Husband, father, brother'
Content: The funeral order of service is adorned with Lawrence's accomplishments.
"Husband, father, brother, sportsman and MBE", it reads. The latter being three letters Lawrence said he "never" thought would come after his name.
Update:
Date: 14:35 BST
Title: 'His personality spread across the world'
Content: Former England and Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Jack Russell MBE, who made his Test match debut at Lord's with Lawrence, said he was his "best mate".
"We knew the love was there. We came early [to the church] and it is packed, it shows what he meant to a lot of people - not just in cricket but in general," he said.
"His personality spread across the world," added Russell.
"He was a trailblazer, he just had a great attitude. Everything was 100%,, he gave it his best shot with everything he did. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
"It's difficult to find the words to sum him up, but they don't come much better than Syd Lawrence."
Update:
Date: 14:29 BST
Title: Coffin of David 'Syd' Lawrence arrives
Content: The coffin of David 'Syd' Lawrence has been carried into the church, with the service expected to start soon.
Among the pallbearers was Lawrence's son Buster, wearing a cream suit.
Update:
Date: 14:24 BST
Title: Lawrence's family arrive
Content: Lawrence's family have just arrived at St Mary Redcliffe church for the funeral.
The former fast bowler leaves behind his wife Gaynor and son Buster.
Update:
Date: 14:22 BST
Title: 'I achieved my dream'
Content: Following his MND diagnosis in June 2024, Lawrence worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness of the condition.
"As a proud Gloucester man who achieved his dream to play for England on the cricket field, it means a great deal to me and to my family who have supported me with all their love during some difficult times," he said.
"I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced and that is how I have approached things since my diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
"With awareness and funds for research we can make a positive difference for those who will need it in the future," he added.
Update:
Date: 14:13 BST
Title: 'Wore his heart on his sleeve'
Content: Former England batsman Mark Butcher said Lawrence was a "full-throttle, big-hearted individual" who "wore his heart on his sleeve".
"Every time you met him there was a warmth there, a genuine love of seeing his old friends and a genuine sense of how much he enjoyed his career," Butcher said.
Update:
Date: 14:08 BST
Title: Windrush Choir perform outside funeral
Content: Bristol's Reggae Windrush Choir have been singing outside the church as guests arrived.
Update:
Date: 14:01 BST
Title: Tufnell: Lawrence a 'great friend'
Content: Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England team-mate, is one of the members of the congregation today.
Speaking to the BBC outside St Mary Redcliffe church, an emotional Tufnell said his "great friend" was "someone who you wanted on your side".
" [He was a ] larger than life character. Filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," the former spin bowler added.
"He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go."
Looking back at their time together, Mr Tufnell recalled Lawrence's serious knee injury, which he suffered while playing for England in New Zealand in 1992.
"I was playing in that Test match when he fractured his kneecap, and carried him off the field. It was a tough injury. He tried to fight his way back from it but I think it was impossible really," he said.
"[But] he didn't let that get him down and he moved forward with a very positive attitude."
Update:
Date: 13:56 BST
Title: 'A Gloucestershire icon'
Content: Neil Priscott, Chief Executive Officer of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club said Lawrence had been "transformational" for the club which he made his debut for in 1981, and then became President of,
He said Lawrence "brought infectious spirit" and "energy" to the role.
"He wanted us to reach out to communities far and wide, push ourselves, do more, find the next generation of talent. That infectiousness sort of carried everyone with him.
"Syd's been an icon for this club on the field and off it," he added.
"We absolutely want to continue that legacy and do that in his honour."
Update:
Date: 13:51 BST
Title: 'A story of resilience'
Content: This video can not be played
In the months after his MND diagnosis, Lawrence put together his autobiography, a story he said was one of "resilience and character".
The book, called In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Syd Lawrence, was written in collaboration with Dean Wilson and launched at a charity cricket match in Downend, Bristol in June.
Speaking at the time, Mr Wilson said: "It's a story about resilience - actually a story about character, and he had them both."
Update:
Date: 13:46 BST
Title: 'An example to young black players'
Content: Dr Guy Reid-Bailey met Lawrence as a teenager, when the parents of the future fast bowler brought him to Bristol because they were worried he may fall in with the wrong crowd in his home city of Gloucester.
Guy, from the Bristol West Indies Cricket Club, told BBC Points West presenter David Garmston that he became a mentor to the young Lawrence.
"He needed someone he could look up to. And I was always there for him," he said.
"He played cricket in the way it should be played. He listened, he learned, and he did it."
When Lawrence was made President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2022, Guy was his Vice President.
"A lot of young black players did see him as an example for them to become good players - not to play for the county or England, but to play league cricket in the west of England," he added.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Gill and Rahul dig in to lead India fightback after Stokes hits England ton
As England walked off for lunch on the fourth day at Old Trafford they could have been forgiven for thinking their opponents were beaten. India had endured the kind of morning that usually dictates a couple of paracetamol and the curtains being redrawn, such was the pummelling Ben Stokes delivered with bat in hand. It was not just Stokes, either. After his first Test century for two years drove England to 669 all out – 141 from 198 balls – the tourists were tasked with negotiating 15 minutes before the break – a negotiation that could scarcely have gone worse had a couple of contestants from The Apprentice been handling it. Chris Woakes conjured up two wickets in two balls before India had made a dent in the whopping 311-run deficit. And yet by stumps this fourth Test had taken on a different complexion courtesy of a couple of hugely determined performances from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Resisting for two wicketless sessions that forced the Saturday crowd to make their own fun, they steered India to 174 for two from 63 overs. Though still 137 runs behind, there is a chance of rain on Sunday and the draw that seemed so unlikely is now possible. Kudos must first go to the two set batters, not least after 157 overs in the field. Though a decent surface in the main, enough deliveries were shooting low and yet at no point did their focus waver. Both do obduracy in the most elegant ways, with Gill's low-slung hands still caressing the ball and Rahul all technical excellence. Reaching 78 and 87 not out respectively, two of India's senior pros had delivered a message to those lower down. But it also hinted at some of England's shortcomings when Stokes, their standout performer with the ball, is out of action. The supposed cramps that forced him off the field on day three may well be something more sinister going by the sight of him clutching his upper leg a couple of times. After his five-wicket haul in the first innings, all Stokes could do this time was run through the tactical playbook and wait patiently. Woakes was the pick overall and his new-ball burst was something to behold. First went Yashasvi Jaiswal, squared up and edging to slip as Joe Root clung on at the second attempt. Then came a dismissal that Gautam Gambhir could relate to, Sai Sudharsan's attempted leave on his first ball catching the bat and also flying to the cordon. Think back to the India head coach's dismissal at the Oval in 2014, even if he would sooner forget it. But after the hat-trick ball to Gill was survived, the chief threat came from Liam Dawson trying to trap the two right-handers on the back foot with a bit of skid, only for the ball to be met with enough willow each time. And it was Dawson who put down the one genuine chance to materialise during an afternoon that seemed to just disappear. Gill sliced hard to backward point when on 46, only for the ball to burst through the all-rounder's hands. Had it stuck, India would have been 74 for three and Brydon Carse's account in the match would have been opened. Jofra Archer, his fellow quick, got the new ball to talk initially but a couple impassioned appeals for lbw were declined. This five-match epic is asking plenty of both sets of fast bowlers – even those who joined halfway – and India's attack was certainly relieved to get off the park before lunch. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Stokes had given them the runaround, both through the completion of his 14th Test century and the 125 runs that were trowelled on to a pile already bulging from Root's historic 150. Not since 2014 had India shipped a 600-plus total in a Test match, while Jasprit Bumrah's runs column running into three figures was simply a first. If the return of Stokes as a force with the ball has arguably been the biggest plus for England in this series then this innings was not far behind. Resuming on 77, Stokes opened up with a couple of imperious fours off Mohammed Siraj and then tipped past three figures with a flick down leg. Out came the celebration not seen for a good while – that crooked finger salute and a look to the sky to honour his late father, Ged. This was the first time an England captain has scored a century and claimed a five-wicket haul in the same Test match and soon the afterburners were lit as he and Carse (47 from 54 balls) ransacked 95 runs for the ninth wicket. When Stokes monstered Washington Sundar for a straight six it took him past 7,000 Test runs, something only Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis had previously combined with 200-plus wickets. But unless Stokes is able to resume bowling on day five, or others step up in his absence, India could yet wriggle free and head to the Oval with a chance of squaring the series. Gill, previously kept quiet for three innings, is also ominously back in the groove.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Surely India won't leave out Jasprit Bumrah if series is in the balance? Their greatest match-winner with the ball hasn't stopped being a champion bowler overnight, writes NASSER HUSSAIN
India will have a tricky decision to make if they continue to dig in on the final day at Old Trafford and come away with a creditable draw. Because although they keep saying that Jasprit Bumrah will play only three Tests in this five-match series – and this, don't forget, is his third – the series could still be alive when the teams arrive at The Oval next week. Clearly, if India lose and go 3–1 down, they can give Bumrah and probably Mohammed Siraj, who has played all four games so far, a rest for the final game. But if they escape Manchester only 2–1 down, are they really going to leave out their greatest match-winner with the ball? I know people are saying that India have lost the two games Bumrah has played in and won the one he missed, with Siraj and Akash Deep bowling India to victory in the second Test at Edgbaston. But there are a lot of things that go into losing a game of cricket, and I don't think you can honestly say Bumrah's bowling was one of the causes of the tourists' defeats at Headingley and Lord's. Don't forget, he took a first-innings five-for in both those games, and his overall tally in this series of 14 wickets at 26 is better than any of his colleagues. It's possible that someone like Siraj steps up a bit more in Bumrah's absence, because he's the kind of character who likes to be the leader of the attack. We occasionally saw the same dynamic between Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, whose most famous spell of eight for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015 came when Anderson was out injured. But I honestly think it's a coincidence that India are yet to win a game this summer with Bumrah in their side. So now they may find themselves having to make that big call for the final Test. Ideally, they bring in fresh legs, because it's been a gruelling five-match series, with each of the games so far going to the last day, and the pitches offering the bowlers precious little all the way through. But are you honestly saying you're not going to try to get one final game out of your strike bowler? It's true that in this match, for the first time I can remember, Bumrah didn't make the best use of the new ball, bowling too straight at Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, when a fifth- or sixth-stump line is where you want to aim against these England batters. It looked as if India were trying to get Duckett lbw, which is an unusual dismissal at Old Trafford because of the bounce. How many have fallen leg-before in this game? One: Shubman Gill to Ben Stokes in India's first innings. And, of course, the stat doing the rounds was that Bumrah had conceded 100 in a Test innings for the first time, in what is his 48th Test. But you always have to bear in mind at Old Trafford that, even when you expect the pitch to go up and down a bit, or deteriorate for the spinners, it rarely becomes a minefield. That's why England got 660 on it. And that's why Test cricket is such a magnificent game: you have to work for your success. India looked dead on their feet when they walked off on Friday evening, but Bumrah recovered pretty well on the fourth morning, relocating his length and bowling Liam Dawson.


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Ben Stokes finds reward from risking fitness with resurgent century for England
An evening's rest didn't change much. Most of India's morning was of the hands-on-hips variety, an homage to a crestfallen Dwight Schrute listening to Everybody Hurts, 135 overs in the field to blame. Jasprit Bumrah found space to detonate the top of Liam Dawson's off-stump but Brydon Carse – half-centurion at Lord's, beefing up England's tail at 10 – remained at ease. This was a welcome situation to end the drought. Ben Stokes had a mixed Friday, sliding into Joe Root's passenger seat, taking his customary blow to the box on 13, then retiring hurt with leg cramp on 66. He returned before the close, finishing unbeaten on 77 to guarantee Old Trafford's attention when play resumed on Saturday. It had been nearly two years since his last century in any game. There was a bit of tension on 99. He found air with an attempted cover drive off Bumrah, faced three dots off Washington Sundar and one off Siraj. But a glance down the leg side for four prompted a look to the skies and an arm round Carse as he waved the bat. With it he became the fourth Englishman to hit a hundred and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test, the kind of stat you would have expected him to already hold, Ian Botham having done it five times. Stokes has had it tough with the bat over the past couple of years, underlined by the absence of a Test hundred since his pyrotechnics in the Ashes. But while he isn't the miracle man anymore, the drop in form has never been severe. Seven matches in Asia, conditions he'd never mastered on previous tours, have contributed to the quiet period, as have his hamstring troubles, ruling him out of four Tests last year. Five innings at home against West Indies last summer returned three half-centuries and there were several starts in this series before Old Trafford (including a peculiar run of three consecutive second-innings 33s). His 141 here was not one of the classics, having come out to bat when his side trailed India by nine runs. Even if there was a touch of magic with a one-two off Sundar – six down the ground was immediately followed by an outrageous reverse sweep to the ropes – it came after England had crossed 600, the first time they had done so at home in 14 years. What the knock did was add to Stokes' story this summer, that of the resurgent player. Much of the past three years has been about his position as captain, how he directs England in the field and instructs the team to play. When he has missed matches, how Ollie Pope goes as the stand-in leader has felt more pressing than the runs and wickets lost in his absence. But Stokes has lived up to his post on X in December after tearing his left hamstring, promising to 'fuck some shit up' when he returned. He is still very much a cricketer, not just a fount of wisdom at mid-off or coach with whites on. He has found nip and danger under the sun, taking more wickets than anyone else in this series. He has the score now, too. But being a 34-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder brings significant risk. The last of Botham's ton-and-five-wicket-haul combos was at the age of 28. On Friday evening Pope acknowledged Stokes' batting retirement as the result of how much he had pushed his body in recent weeks. How he would move in the field after facing 198 deliveries was the next issue. When Chris Woakes took two in two in his opening over, it felt a bit irrelevant, and continued to do so when Jofra Archer found late swing into Shubman Gill after lunch. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Then came Gill and KL Rahul's resistance, and the question of when Stokes would bowl, this being the perfect situation for his right-arm heat. On came Carse, then Dawson, and Root got it to twirl, too. Stokes stuck to the director's chair, resuming his role of late, his fitness unclear, every walk to the stumps a tease, his cap still on as he discussed tactics with the bowler. 'He's a bit stiff and sore,' revealed Marcus Trescothick, England's batting coach, at the end of play, no certainty offered on whether Stokes will bowl on the final day. 'He's had quite a big workload in the last few weeks. And then batting in the first innings, he was getting quite a bit of cramp. Hoping with another night's rest and a bit more physio work overnight he'll be back in and doing a bit tomorrow. 'You'll probably see Joe Root bowl a little bit more if he's not available, but let's wait and see. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be OK by tomorrow.' Stokes has rediscovered his rhythm, but the pain remains.