The late Princess Diana needs no introduction! She had an evergreen, captivating charm that everyone talks about, even after her tragic death in 1997. One such instance is about David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, a fearsome fast bowler, the first British-born Black man to play Test cricket for England, and now a voice of resolute truth in the face of adversity.
Lawrence’s new memoir, ‘In Syd’s Voice—The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence,’ charts his remarkable journey through a sport that brought success and trauma. The memoir talks about his struggle with motor neuron disease (MND), which has left him unable to walk or speak at just 61, and the instances of racism he faced in his career.
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According to The Mirror, one of the defining memories of his career was meeting Princess Diana during a visit to Gloucestershire Cricket Club in the 1980s. Diana was the shining star of the British royal family, a timeless fashion icon, a humanitarian, and a self-styled queen of hearts. So, no wonder David ‘Syd’ Lawrence was charmed by his brief interaction with her.
Lawrence recalled, “She watched us at the nets and even when I was just jogging in, she thought I bowled quickly,” Lawrence recalled. “She asked if I might play for England soon. I said I hoped so—and joked that maybe I’d get to meet her mother-in-law at Lord’s. That encounter left a profound impression on the player, who would later be invited to Princess Diana’s funeral after she died in 1997.
Cricketing Legend David ‘Syd’ Lawrence has written an autobiography which shares the highest points of Mr Lawrence’s career and intimate moments and memories of his life.
A portion of the proceeds of every sale of ‘In Syd’s Voice’ will be donated to the MND Association 🧡#MND
— MND Association (@mndassoc) June 10, 2025
Diana married Prince Charles (now King), the heir to the throne, in 1981. Still, their union was marked by intense public pressure, reports of infidelity, and an affair that later became so public that the media never left Princess Diana alone, even after the couple divorced in 1996. While Diana devoted herself to raising her kids, Prince William and Harry, she was in agony, dilemma, and confusion during the last days before her death.
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On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana and her partner, Dodi Fayed, an Egyptian film producer who was in love with Diana, and driver Henri Paul died in a car accident in Paris. There have been several official investigations over the years. One of the most notable was the British inquiry known as Operation Paget. The conclusion was that the incident was provoked by the paparazzi pursuing the car and Henri Paul’s reckless driving while he was drunk.
Today, more than a decade since her passing, the world cannot get enough of the enduring impact that she left behind. People loved her complex character, her need for attention, and her strong resilience to deal with issues with grace and dignity. When Diana died, Prince William and Harry, who were aged 15 and 12, could not process their loss.
As per Daily Sabah, both the royal brothers have said in several interviews that they were confused and lost after their mother’s death. At a time when they were aged 15 and 12, it was difficult for them to handle the side effects of the public scrutiny that followed her death. Media outlets wrote about Diana’s life and covered every aspect of the difficulties and abuse she endured.
Meanwhile, David ‘Syd’ Lawrence also opened up about the abuse and racism he faced during his cricket career. Fans in Yorkshire hurled racial slurs and bananas at him during matches in Scarborough, even as recently as the early 1990s. On one occasion, Yorkshire physio Wayne Morton leapt into the crowd to confront the abusers, only to be restrained by police.
Through it all, Lawrence credits West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards for offering advice that has stayed with him. “They don’t want you to succeed,” Richards told him. “They’re waiting for you to mess up. Don’t give them that satisfaction. Prove them wrong with your talent.”
Despite the injustice of a career cut short by a horrific knee injury and now the cruelty of MND, Lawrence’s legacy is one of the most inspiring and cherished. Written in collaboration with Dean Wilson, the book is now available online on sites like Amazon and in stores.
