Tributes to 'fierce competitor' Lawrence

CRICKET Phil Tufnell remembered his former England team-mate David “Syd' Lawrence as a “fierce competitor” and “a great friend” after his death from motor neurone disease.

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Lawrence has died at the age of 61, a year on from making his devastating diagnosis public.

The Gloucestershire favourite, a tearaway fast bowler whose international career was cut short by a terrible knee injury, was a well-loved character within the game as well and the first British-born black cricketer to play for England.

A minute's applause was held at Headingley ahead of day three of the first Rothesay Test against India, with Ben Stokes’ side wearing black armbands in Lawrence's honour.