You must’ve heard of the pink-ball Test cricket. And perhaps you’ve even seen teams battle it out with a pink ball, instead of the regular red one.
But this pink-ball Test must not be confused with the annual ‘Pink Test’ match played in Australia.
So, what exactly is the Pink Test?
At the start of each year, Australia hosts a Test match in Sydney. Since the Test, played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), happens a few days after the new year starts, it is generally called the New Year Test.
But it also doubles up as the Pink Test. Why? To spread awareness and raise funds for breast cancer care.
But what’s the relation between the colour pink and breast cancer?
See, pink symbolises awareness and support for breast cancer. Since the SCG Test is all about creating awareness and raising funds for breast cancer, it’s dedicated as the Pink Test.
You’ll notice the Australian cricketers don baggy pink caps instead of the traditional baggy green ones. Even the opposition players walk out with shades of pink on their jerseys.
Not only that, the whole stadium also decks up in pink while fans turn up in pink attire. The whole SCG turns into a sea of pink during the Test!
But what’s the story behind organising the Pink Test?
Glenn McGrath, the former Australian pacer, is the pioneer behind the Pink Test. His foundation, the McGrath Foundation, collaborates with Cricket Australia (CA) to dedicate the SCG Test as the Pink Test. The foundation provides support for breast cancer care.
Glenn’s late wife, Jane McGrath, had breast cancer, which she successfully overcame. It was during her treatment that Jane and Glenn decided to start the McGrath Foundation.
The idea behind the McGrath Foundation was to provide the support of a breast care nurse to those suffering from breast cancer for free.
After Jane passed away in 2008, Glenn pitched the idea of the Pink Test to CA. Then since 2009, the McGrath Foundation, in collaboration with CA, has been raising funds for breast care support through the Pink Test.
They also pay homage to Jane for her work around breast cancer awareness and support. The Ladies Stand (Jane McGrath Stand) at the SCG and the third day (Jane McGrath Day) of the Pink Test are named after her.
From 2025 onwards, the foundation decided to raise funds and provide support for all types of cancer patients.
On similar lines, Cricket South Africa organises a ‘Pink Day’ initiative, while Gujarat Titans wear lavender jerseys in the IPL.
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