In Australia, the last two Tests of the international summer have massive significance. The Decmber 26-30 period is considered the Boxing Day Test and it is one of the marquee events of the sporting calendar Down Under. The Sydney Test is considered the New Year’s Test which is played in the first week of January every New Year. However, the Sydney Test has an added significance. It is also the Pink Test. It is a day when the entire SCG, along with all the cricketing equipments is decked in Pink and spectators, along with other prominent personalities dress in pink and raise funds for breast cancer awareness and aid. The Test is dedicated to Jane McGrath, the wife of Australia’s legendary pacer Glenn McGrath, who took 563 wickets for Australia.
On day 2 of the ongoing Test between India and Australia, the Pink Day was celebrated in grand style. Past breast cancer survivors caught up with nurses who had treated them. Their encounters resulted in some wonderful stories on social media. Jane was also honoured with a massive pink banner at the SCG and there were appeals to raise close to AUD 2.1 million towards the end of the Test.
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Even the Indian community in Sydney played their part to perfection. Many volunteers from the Pink Sari INC, an Indian organisation in Sydney, spread their message about breast cancer awareness by wearing pink saris. Their main aim this time was to improve the rates of breast screening of Indian and Sri Lankan women which are traditionally low in New South Wales.
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Showing his solidarity for the noble cause, India skipper Virat Kohli had added a dash of pink to his batting gear - gloves and pads. So touching to see the #indiancricketteam being not just amazing on field, but also off. Fantastic supporters," McGrath Foundation wrote on its twitter handle. The McGrath Foundation is seeking to raise as much funds as possible before stumps on day five of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia. McGrath also received the baggy pink caps from Tim Paine and his Australian team on the Jane McGrath day at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "The touching moment when the Aussies handover their Baggy Pinks to the McGrath family," the foundation tweeted. "Together, we can make a difference' couldn't be any more appropriate! Thank you @CricketAus for what will be another amazing Jane McGrath Day!"
The first time the SCG hosted the Pink Test was back in 2009 when Australia played South Africa. The McGrath foundation was started in 2005, following McGrath’s first wife Jane's initial diagnosis with breast and bone cancer. She went into remission, but the cancer returned and she died in 2008, aged 42.
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