We are hiring! Please click here to join our growing magazine delivery team in Gloucestershire!

Editorials

Let's sell out the ground in support of David Lawrence, says Gloucestershire chairman Peter Matthews

All Areas > Sport > Cricket

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Wednesday, 4th June 2025, 09:00

David Lawrence was an excellent fast bowler for Gloucestershire in the 1980s David Lawrence was an excellent fast bowler for Gloucestershire in the 1980s

The Gloucestershire cricket family is coming together this month to support one of its favourite sons.

David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, a tearaway fast bowler back in the 1980s and now the club’s president, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease 12 months ago.

Syd, who is 61, was born in Gloucester, and the county are doing everything they can to help him fight MND, a condition that affects the brains and nerves causing weaknesses that get worse over time.

The upcoming T20 Blast game against Hampshire at Bristol on Friday 20th June (7pm) will be turning pink for ‘Pink 4 Syd’ day.

Gloucestershire’s players will wear pink shirts during the game and the fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support. 

The event aims to raise funds and awareness for MND while honouring Syd.

“It would be fantastic to sell out the ground in support of Syd and MND,” said Gloucestershire chairman Peter Matthews.

And on Friday, a charity game between Syd’s XI and The Lashings will take place at Downend Cricket Club (2.30pm).  

Syd’s team will be captained by his son Buster and will include former England stars Devon Malcolm and Norman Cowans.

Ex-Gloucestershire players Matt Windows, Martyn Ball and Tim Hancock will also be part of the team. 

The Lashings XI includes Syd’s one-time Gloucestershire new-ball partner Courtney Walsh alongside another former West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge.

Ex-England stars Chris Lewis, John Emburey, and Monty Panesar will also play. 

The gates open at noon and entry is by donation on the day.

There will be collections around the boundary and hospitality packages, as well as live and silent auctions to raise funds. 

Syd played close on 300 games for Gloucestershire taking more than 550 wickets. He also won five Test caps.

Copyright © 2025 The Local Answer Limited.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Local Answer Limited and thelocalanswer.co.uk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

More articles you may be interested in...

What's On
Competitions

© 2025 The Local Answer Limited - Registered in England and Wales - Company No. 06929408
Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 7EG - VAT Registration No. 975613000

Privacy Policy