When James Bracey thinks of Syd Lawrence, he does not first think of wickets, records or milestones.

He thinks of a man who never stopped giving to Gloucestershire cricket.

This Sunday, Gloucestershire will honour former England fast bowler Syd Lawrence during their Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture against Nottinghamshire, wearing a special commemorative kit and raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

For Bracey, the occasion is deeply personal.

One memory stands above all others: September 2024, when Gloucestershire won the T20 Blast for the first time in the club’s history. Lawrence, already battling motor neurone disease, was there to present the trophy.

“That was very special for me,” Bracey tells Sky Sports.

“We were obviously delighted that we’d just won the Blast for the first time as a team, but to see how much it meant to him, even at that stage of his life, was really emotional.

“It just showed how much he really loved the club. To see his face when he was able to hold that trophy was really special for me.”

Lawrence, who passed away in June 2025 aged 61, remains one of the most influential figures in Gloucestershire’s history. He became the first British-born Black cricketer to play Test cricket for England in 1988 and later became Gloucestershire’s first Black president.

Although Bracey never saw Lawrence play, his impact on the club was impossible to miss.

“From my experiences, he was an incredibly kind-hearted person, incredibly personable and cared a hell of a lot about Gloucestershire cricket,” Bracey said.

“Any time he was around the ground, he was chatting to everyone. He was larger than life and had a hell of a lot of energy.”

Sunday’s tribute is also designed to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and highlight the work of the MNDA.

“We’ve seen how public Syd was with his condition,” Bracey said. “But the impact it has on family and friends is just as important.

“That’s the amazing thing about what the MNDA do. They support the person with the disease, but they also help those around them.”

Lawrence’s legacy also extends beyond Gloucestershire. As a pioneering Black cricketer, he helped open doors for future generations.

“There’s been a lot of progress,” Bracey said. “But there’s obviously a lot more work to do in maintaining that progress and increasing it as well.”

As Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire come together to honour Lawrence, Bracey hopes supporters remember the cricketer, the trailblazer and the person behind both.

“When I’m reminded of Syd, it takes me back to that day,” he said.

“It was a very special and happy moment for me to see what that meant to him.”

This weekend’s tribute will celebrate a man whose love for Gloucestershire never faded – and whose legacy continues to inspire the club he loved.

Aston Villa are closing in on a full agreement to sign Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid.

The clubs had broadly agreed a deal for the 24-year-old earlier in the week in the region of €20million (£17.1m; $23.1m), and Ruggeri is advancing in personal terms with the Premier League outfit. While the transfer is not yet finalised, Ruggeri did not travel to South Korea for Atletico’s pre-season as he continued negotiations with Villa.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Ruggeri was among the options being considered by Villa as they sought a replacement for Lucas Digne. The France international will complete his £8million move to Paris Saint-Germain after the Champions League holders activated the release clause in his contract. Digne, 33, underwent a medical two weeks ago and is expected to finalise terms once he has returned from holiday.

Ruggeri made 47 appearances for Atletico last season, recording seven assists. He joined from Atalanta last summer, signing a five-year deal.

Netherlands international Ian Maatsen has struggled for minutes since joining in July 2024, but Villa have outlined their intentions to keep the 24-year-old this summer and view him as a long-term successor to Digne.

Villa had been pursuing AC Milan defender Pervis Estupinan, formerly at Brighton & Hove Albion and who worked with Unai Emery at Villarreal. Progress had been made, with personal terms not an issue. The sticking point centred on the fee with Milan, who had just hired Ruben Amorim as their new head coach.

Ruggeri fits the bill, as Villa eye a physical left-back

Villa were seeking a replacement following the imminent departure of Digne to PSG. As previously reported, Villa were wanting a more physical profile of left-back who could provide difference to Ian Maatsen.

Ruggeri, at six feet and two inches, fulfills that criteria while has shown versatility previously to play in central defence. At 24, the Italian is ready-made to come straight into the team, with his physicality understandably sufficient to cope with the rigours of the Premier League.

Unai Emery usually wants his left backs high and wide, but with Alejandro Garnacho joining and likely to provide width on that side, having a more defensively minded full-back could help offer balance.

Experts have their say ahead of the Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha middleweight world championship clash and Callum Walsh’s crucial fight against Tyler Denny, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.

Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha

Chris Billam-Smith (former cruiserweight champion): McKenna’s got so much to his game I think. He’s shown he can box a bit but he’s got an intensity and a workrate. He punches hard enough to get people’s respect. We saw a lot from him in the Liam Smith fight, of what he can do. I will pick him to win, probably on points, but he could overwhelm him as well.

Johnny Nelson (former cruiserweight champion): Aaron McKenna gets an inside-the-distance stoppage win I think. His engine, his pace will be too much.

Oliha can’t afford to get hit too easily because McKenna won’t leave you alone. It’s a good fight, especially for McKenna boxing in Dublin for the first time in his professional career.

I think McKenna in the first half of the fight.

Johnny Fisher (heavyweight star): McKenna’s been based in America for a little while, this is now his homecoming fight. Tremendous amateur record, hopefully that pedigree comes through. I think this crowd will give him that extra lift. If he uses that crowd and doesn’t let it be detrimental to him, that’s what’s going to carry him over the line.

Callum Walsh (middleweight contender): I presume that Aaron will win. It’s a big night, a big opportunity for him to go out there and perform and to win the world title in Dublin. I think he will.

Connor Coyle (middleweight contender): I think McKenna will win, I think he’ll win on points. I know McKenna’s boxing, I’ve known him growing up through Irish boxing. That’s why I know he’s a good boxer.

I think he’ll become IBF world champion on Saturday night.

Sam Hickey (middleweight prospect): Oliha, he’s obviously a good level but I think Aaron McKenna will get the job done. Aaron’s a good fighter. He’s got pedigree.

It’s kind of a new breed of middleweight coming through.

Patrick O’Connor (cruiserweight prospect): I think Aaron McKenna will win by decision. From what I see, I think Aaron is going to beat him on points, maybe late stoppage. It’s going to be great for Irish boxing to have a world champion, it’s a big thing.

Owen O’Neill (middleweight fighter): McKenna on points. He’s a very technical boxer, he’s very smart and he’s very good. I’ve been in there with him [in sparring] and he’s tall, he’s got big arms and he punches hard too.

Callum Walsh vs Tyler Denny

Billam-Smith: The Callum Walsh fight is interesting. I know Tyler, I’ve watched him a lot over the years and he always brings it. And if you’re not on your game and you switch off and your head’s elsewhere, he’ll beat you.

He’s a good fighter. He’s shown it. His first breakout win was Brad Rea, a really good win at the time.

He’s not affected by his losses. He’s been beat, come back and won and he’s looked good doing so. So it’s a really interesting one. I can’t really pick a winner because I know how good Callum is but nothing would surprise me in that fight.

Nelson: On paper you’d lean towards Walsh because of where he’s at in his career, but then you look at what Tyler Denny’s done, the heads he’s snatched because they’ve looked through him, looked past him. This is going to be a test of Walsh’s heart, Walsh’s desire. Because Tyler Denny is not one of those guys that folds easily.

I’d lean towards Tyler, but on points.

Fisher: Denny can very quickly make a fight go on to his terms in a positive way for him. If he drags you into that sort of fight it’s going to be a hard night’s work.

If he establishes his jab, fights at range, it’s Walsh’s fight to win. I pick Walsh but I like Tyler Denny, I like his tenacity. He’s fought some of the top guys in the division. Although I pick Walsh I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the other way.

Hickey: Tyler Denny’s a good fighter, he can make people look average. If you’re not on your best night he can make a mess of the fight. Look at his last fight with George Liddard, it was a close one.

That’s an interesting fight because Callum Walsh has obviously made his career over in America. You’ll really see the level that Walsh is at. It’s different because when you move up the levels, fighters can take the power. If Walsh is a serious puncher he can maybe get him out of there but he’s moving up the levels so he might end up having to go the rounds and we’ll see how good a fighter he is.

Coyle: I’ve watched both of them guys fight. I know Callum has power. Coming up from 154lb, I don’t know what his power’s like at middleweight so that’ll be an interesting fight. I can’t predict that one. But after I take care of business on Saturday I’ll be ready for whoever they want.

O’Connor: I see Callum Walsh winning that one too, by decision. I think he can go all the way.

I’ll start off with a big knockout [to open the show] and watch the rest of the fights.

O’Neill: Callum Walsh by knockout. I’ve watched Callum and I think he’ll knock him out. I just know how good Callum is. Denny is very experienced. I suppose this is Callum’s big test with someone who’s been in there and done it. I’m looking forward to it.

Watch Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha fight for the IBF world middleweight title in Dublin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.