London, June 22 -- Former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence has died at the age of 61.
Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last year.
He was appointed MBE in the King's Birthday Honours earlier this month after raising money and awareness of the condition.
Lawrence played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire.
"'Syd' was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed," said a family statement announcing his death.
He made his first-class debut for the county in 1981, gaining the nickname...