Cricket, and sport in general, may at times be presented as greater than life, but on one day every day of the year, a semblance of balance and perspective is added to the picture.
The third day of the New Year’s Test at Sydney, now as part of tradition, sees the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground turn pink to mark ‘Jane McGrath Day’ – in honour of legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath’s wife, and the fight against breast cancer, and cancer in general.
The ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India witnessed the SCG going pink for the 11th straight year.
Jane, a champion campaigner for the cause of cancer support, had died in June 2008 aged 42 after over a decade of fighting against breast cancer. Every subsequent Test match at Sydney has since been known as the ‘Pink Test’, which raises funds for the McGrath Foundation – an initiative of Jane and Glenn, launched in 2005.
Glenn, one of the all-time great bowlers in the game – with 949 wickets across formats for Australia over a 14-year international career – cut a visibly emotional figure, expressing his gratefulness over the growth of the campaign.
“Never in a million years did we think it would grow into what it has and it’s continuing to get bigger and better every year. She (Jane) would think it’s absolutely amazing. She’d be very humbled by it. Probably slightly embarrassed that everyone is making a fuss. But she would be proud.”Glenn McGrath
From players to fans to broadcasters, everyone at the SCG on Saturday, 5 January, donned pink in support of the cause.
The McGrath Foundation, till date, has supported over 76,000 families and is presently funding 120 nurses. The foundation aims at raising $2.1 million this Sydney Test, which would fund a a further 15 nurses.
SCG Painted Pink
Our best wishes go to the McGrath Foundation and its noble fight. You too can contribute to the cause: visit www.pinktest.com.au and donate.
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