The Spin | David ‘Syd’ Lawrence’s brave race against time to tell his remarkable story

Former England bowler has motor neurone disease and his new autobiography vividly describes his daily battleDavid Lawrence loved to dance. As a teenager he would move to northern soul, hitching his way from Gloucester to Wigan Casino, a change of clothes in the bag, life beginning at midnight. Then came his time as a powerful fast bowler with Gloucestershire, where he was bestowed the nickname Syd, his reward an England debut against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 1988.He took a five-wicket haul in August 1991 against West Indies at the Oval, the ground he had visited as a 12-year-old to see Michael Holding fly and where he recognised that this would be his calling, too. Less than six months later, playing his fifth Test, Lawrence thundered through the crease in Wellington and snapped a kneecap. A crack and haunting shriek spelled the end of his career. He was 28. Continue reading...

Comments

Sport news

Metro

Newcastle United transfer odds: Keeping Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes the priority but Liverpool and Brighton stars could be on their way

about 1 hour ago

Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate

Metro

Footy fans all say the same thing about Penrith star Nathan Cleary - as Maroons survive dramatic late NSW surge to level the series

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

State of Origin II player ratings: See which unheralded Queenslander rampaged his way to top marks, and the Blues superstar who bombed

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Wayne Rooney drops major hint over football management future after Man United legend's disaster spells with Birmingham and Plymouth

about 2 hours ago

Ex-NFL star Richard Sherman charged with DUI as blood-alcohol tests results are finally revealed

Dailymail

Championship manager to be axed TODAY after missing out on Premier League promotion - with former top flight boss 'set to replace him'

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Inside Conor McGregor's wild Ibiza trip: How Irish fighter's outing spiralled out of control after party with Katie Price and Wayne Lineker led to a reveller being punched to the floor in infamous nightclub

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Inside Ollie Watkins' lavish wedding party: Aston Villa ace celebrates marriage in gorgeous French venue weeks after tying the knot to stunning wife Ellie Alderson

about 2 hours ago

Revealed: Mohamed Salah set to miss SEVEN games - including Liverpool title showdown - due to AFCON next season

Dailymail

Comments

Sport news

Newcastle United transfer odds: Keeping Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes the priority but Liverpool and Brighton stars could be on their way

Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate

Orioles prospect Luis Guevara dead at 19 after jet ski crash

Josh Allen reveals intimate look at dreamy honeymoon with ‘wifey’ Hailee Steinfeld

2025 Travelers Championship picks: Four long shots to bet at TPC River Highlands

Michael Vaughan pinpoints how England can beat India in five-Test series

Lions receive Tadhg Furlong fitness boost as team revealed for Argentina curtain-raiser

A lot of players helping family with Euro 2025 travel costs – Georgia Stanway

Man City: Pep Guardiola names new captain as Kyle Walker is replaced

Rangers fanatic riles Celtic punters on Hotline as diehard told hollow derby boast proves wee team mentality

Dundee United Conference League opponents revealed as Jim Goodwin and Co begin journey to big time

F1 star says what he's not meant to at premiere of Brad Pitt movie

Summer sports events and how to watch with TV deals from DAZN, Sky and TNT

Carlos Alcaraz admits breaking 'party ban' from coach but French Open champ 'can't handle it'

Viktor Gyokeres left in no man's land as Arsenal transfer 'agreement' comes to light

French Open star who 'scared opponents' reacts to hype around her incredible new physique

Man Utd chief who has earned the club £100m quits to join Premier League rivals

Prince Harry gave playful telling off after Meghan Markle kiss at Royal Ascot

Jose Mourinho at centre of Turkish scandal as leaked texts force resignations

Rory McIlroy faces more questions about behaviour as Phil Mickelson makes brutal comment

Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta dealt toughest hands after Premier League announcement

Liverpool star's two-word response to Florian Wirtz speaks volumes ahead of £116m transfer

Jake Paul 'fix' claims spread again ahead of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr fight

Furious footy fans go ballistic over shocking stat they say ROBBED the NSW Blues of a famous Origin win

Disgraced NFL star Henry Ruggs III publicly apologizes to DUI crash victim's family during prison release

Footy fans all say the same thing about Penrith star Nathan Cleary - as Maroons survive dramatic late NSW surge to level the series

State of Origin II player ratings: See which unheralded Queenslander rampaged his way to top marks, and the Blues superstar who bombed

Wayne Rooney drops major hint over football management future after Man United legend's disaster spells with Birmingham and Plymouth

Ex-NFL star Richard Sherman charged with DUI as blood-alcohol tests results are finally revealed

Emotional Queensland captain Cameron Munster drops F-bomb on live TV as he backs under-pressure coach Billy Slater

Arsenal fans launch bizarre conspiracy theory as Premier League fixtures are released

Championship manager to be axed TODAY after missing out on Premier League promotion - with former top flight boss 'set to replace him'

Inside Conor McGregor's wild Ibiza trip: How Irish fighter's outing spiralled out of control after party with Katie Price and Wayne Lineker led to a reveller being punched to the floor in infamous nightclub

Inside Ollie Watkins' lavish wedding party: Aston Villa ace celebrates marriage in gorgeous French venue weeks after tying the knot to stunning wife Ellie Alderson

Revealed: Mohamed Salah set to miss SEVEN games - including Liverpool title showdown - due to AFCON next season

Worrying prediction made for Arsenal and Man Utd after Premier League fixtures released

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries ‘let their country down’ and ‘don’t deserve MBEs’

Rio Ferdinand claims £64m striker is ‘waiting’ for Man Utd transfer offer

Jadon Sancho reaches agreement with new club as Manchester United set transfer fee

The Russell Wilson trait that can transform the Giants offense

Ex-NFL star Richard Sherman charged with DUI— second time he’s faced drunk driving charges

Shaikin: The Giants just made a big trade. Will the Dodgers make one of their own?

Transfer news live: Arsenal’s Sesko stumbling block, Everton poach Man United director, Chelsea lead Gittens race

Ben Askren’s wife ‘praying for miracle’ as MMA veteran battles pneumonia

Sir Alastair Cook explains why England should pick Ollie Pope over Jacob Bethell against India

I practice what I preach – Jack Farrimond teaching value of pushing to the end

When are EFL fixtures released? Date, time and schedule ahead of 2025/26 season

Arsenal set for training camp after players make pre-season 'demand' in bid to end trophy drought

England: Lionesses vow to help families with eye-watering costs at Euro 2025

Wimbledon hand £66,000 wild cards to three British teenagers and 35-year-old two-time champion

Chelsea handed Champions League boost after Premier League fixtures announcement

Ryder Cup 2025: Team Europe latest qualification standings as Rory McIlroy confirms place at Bethpage

Clark scores 20 and the Fever beat the Sun 88-71 in physical game to secure Commissioner’s Cup spot

Ionescu scores 34, teams with Stewart to rally Liberty from 17 down to an 86-81 win over Dream

Rockies hit a franchise record-tying 7 homers, 2 by Michael Toglia, in 10-6 win over Nationals

Ohtani 'feeling good' after his Dodgers pitching debut and could return to mound this weekend

Hendricks and Angels hand slumping Yankees their 3rd straight shutout, 4-0

Sykes scores 32 and the Mystics overcome a 12-point halftime deficit to beat the Sky 79-72

Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong homer as the NL Central-leading Cubs knock off the Brewers 5-3

Bichette, Barger hit back-to-back homers in 9th as Blue Jays rally past Diamondbacks 5-4