On the third day of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, the players of both teams were seen wearing black armbands. This mark of respect was in remembrance of former England fast bowler David "Syd" Lawrence, who recently passed away at the age of 61.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acknowledged the tribute on social media, posting, "Both teams are wearing black armbands to pay their respects to former England Cricketer, David 'Syd' Lawrence, who has sadly passed away." A moment of applause was also observed before the start of play on Day 3, honoring the contributions Lawrence made to English cricket.
David Lawrence, born in Gloucester in 1964, was celebrated not only for his impactful presence on the field but also for his advocacy off it. He debuted for England in 1988 and played in five Test matches and one One Day International (ODI). His most remarkable performance was in 1991 against the West Indies at The Oval, where he took 5 wickets for 106 runs. A severe knee injury during a Test match in New Zealand in 1992 prematurely ended his promising career.
Beyond his playing career, Lawrence left a significant mark as the first British-born Black player to represent England. He championed diversity and inclusion within cricket. In 2024, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and faced his condition with openness, contributing to increased awareness about the disease. In 2025, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and named an Honorary Life Vice-President of the ECB. Richard Thompson, the ECB Chair, recognized him as a "trailblazer of English cricket" whose legacy would endure.
Earlier in the same series, on Day 1 of the Headingley Test, both teams also wore black armbands to honor the victims of the Ahmedabad air disaster that occurred on June 12, 2025. This tragic incident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash shortly after takeoff, claiming 274 lives, including 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens. A minute of silence was observed before the national anthems, making the tribute particularly poignant for both teams.
