1 day Ago By Jasper Bruce
There was a time Indian fans were cheering for Glenn McGrath to be belted into the stands for six, but now they're cheering him on. The legendary Australian paceman can't help but smile when he reflects on the efforts of the McGrath Foundation, founded in 2005 amid his late wife Jane's breast cancer battle with the view to providing nurses for other patients. The foundation has become beloved by Australian cricket fans across 16th previous iterations of the Pink Test fundraiser at the SCG.
Cricket-goers flocked to the stadium in pink for the 17th Jane McGrath Day on Sunday and had already purchased more than 270,000 virtual seats by the time play began against India. McGrath is especially heartened when he sees opposition fans supporting the cause, and Indian fans have risen to the occasion this year as the foundation broadens its focus to all forms of cancer. "Just the way that they (rival fans) get behind it makes it even more special," McGrath said.
"It shows the beauty of sport, especially cricket and this match, where it brings people together from all walks of life." India's active supporter group the Bharat Army held a harbour cruise to raise money after play on day two, with four DJs, two dance floors and between 150 and 200 fans aboard. The parents of Indian allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy were among those in attendance.
The cruise concept was so popular that would-be sailors needed to be turned away. "It's a cruise, so it's partying and booze, music all around, all floors, food and fun," Bharat Army member Harsh Bhatt told AAP. "The Indian fans have made sure we support the foundation.
" Sydney-based Bhatt helped organise flags and custom-made pink t-shirts for the Bharat Army to be worn on day three of the fifth Test on Sunday. In lieu of a fee for purchasing the shirts, Indian fans have been asked by the Bharat Army to donate to the McGrath Foundation. "They've gone the extra mile, they've got the pink shirts and they're going to be very vocal, very noisy today as they always are," McGrath said.
"It'll be a good atmosphere." India have played in four previous editions of the Pink Test, losing in 2012 as Michael Clarke made an unbeaten high-score of 329 runs in the first innings, and drawing in 2015, 2019 and 2021..
