A reduced crowd might have been on deck at the SCG on Saturday for Jane McGrath Day but that didn’t stop an unprecedented amount in donations rolling in as part of a concept to sell virtual pink seats, thought up months ago in case COVID-19 spoiled the Sydney Test.
McGrath Foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan said she was “astounded” at the generosity of Australians, who have donated more than $2.3 million this year in what organisers say is the biggest fundraising effort ever from 13 years of pink Tests. The previous highest figure of $1.76 million was raised during the 2017-18 Ashes series.
Australian skipper Tim Paine leads out his team wearing McGrath Foundation pink caps.Credit:Getty
Even though only 10,075 supporters made their way through the turnstiles on day three, there was no shortage of pink attire in the stands as those in attendance remembered Australian fast bowling great Glenn McGrath’s wife, Jane, who died from breast cancer in 2008.
With fewer volunteers walking around the SCG and unable to sell as many pink bandanas as normal, the foundation decided to sell virtual pink seats instead at a cost of $20 each.
