McGrath delighted by pink response at SCG

In a touching gesture that typified the compassion and love for sport of the average Australian, the Sydney Cricket Ground was yesterday transformed into a sea of pink on the third day (designated Jane McGrath Day) of the Australia-South Africa Test to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

McGrath delighted by pink response at SCG

A total of Aus$320,000 (approx Rs 1 crore) was raised in two days through sales of pink (the colour associated with breast cancer) bandanas at the ground, from corporate donors and Channel Nine commentators.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, wearing a pink tie and jacket handkerchief, last Saturday lent his support to the drive (SUNDAY MID DAY, Jan 4), as did members of the Australian and South African teams.

The stumps and advertisement hoardings on the boundary fence were painted pink yesterday. For a brief moment the world-famous ground and its stands were bathed in pink with fans wearing ties, (jacket) handkerchiefs, shirts, dresses, skirts, T-shirts, shorts, socks, bandanas, even shoes etc in shades of pink.

u00a0Shane Warne, now a TV commentator, who played a major role in the drive, wore a pink jacket while fellow-commentator Tony Greig sported a pink hat.u00a0

McGrath admitted he struggled with his emotions as he and his children made their way to the ground.

"The support has blown me away," he said. "I have had to really keep my emotions in check. Driving in was really tough. To see all the pink and all the support we are getting is overwhelming. The pink grips, the bat stickers and shoes have just blown me away," he said.

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