SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA TEST IN JOHANNESBURG TO PINK UP IN SUPPORT OF THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – In a global first, the 2011 South Africa vs Australia Wanderers Test will be the first Test outside of Australia to turn pink, paying homage to the success of the Sydney Pink Test in Australia, raising funds for the McGrath Foundation and local cancer charity, CANSA.

Thanks to the friendship between Cricket Cares, Cricket Australia’s community action program, and the McGrath Foundation, more than $2.2 million has been raised over three years from the Sydney Pink Test, one of Australia’s most iconic fundraising events.

During the Wanderers Test, the Australian team will once again wear the McGrath Foundation logo on the collar of their playing shirts to show their support for the McGrath Foundation and the Wanderers Ground will be pinked for Day 3, including pink signage, shave and spray stations and pink breakfasts.

In addition, Bidvest have generously donated $50,000 to the McGrath Foundation and will be donating a further $25,000 for each Test won by Australia while playing South Africa. In addition, Bidvest will donate 20 rand from each ticket sold to Day 3 of the Wanderers Test, to be split between the McGrath Foundation and CANSA.

McGrath Foundation Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan, is in South Africa to be a part of the pink action in Johannesburg and is looking forward to seeing fans embrace the pink movement.

‘To think we are about to head into our fourth year of the Sydney Pink Test is just incredible and it’s been so amazing to see how the Pink Test concept has really been embraced by everyone in the cricketing community,’ Ms Bevan said.

‘Last year, we were inundated with messages from well-wishers from around the world, such as South Africa, England and France, telling us they were wearing pink on Jane McGrath Day to show their support for us, so it’s wonderful for me to be here and represent the Foundation as the team loves the summer of cricket – and this year, we have another feather to add to our cap.

‘This is the international debut of the Pink Test concept and we couldn’t be more proud to have South Africa as the first country involved given they were the first team to participate in the inaugural Pink Test in Sydney in 2009.

‘We really appreciate all the support we’ve received which has seen our 68 McGrath Breast Care Nurses help support more than 10,000 Australian families through a breast cancer experience over the past three years.’

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland says the Pink Test has helped set a precedent around the world.

‘The Pink Test concept has grown phenomenally in Australia since 2008 and the Wanderers Test turning pink is recognition of what Cricket Australia and the McGrath Foundation have achieved with the event,’ Mr Sutherland said.

‘It shows that, as well as the $2.2million the organisations have raised, the awareness for women’s health created through the Pink Test reaches worldwide.

‘I know the guys will proudly wear the McGrath Foundation logo on their shirt during the Wanderers Test and again during the Sydney Test against India in January when the SCG will again be covered in pink.’

The 2011/2012 summer of cricket will again be turning pink, with the Sydney Pink Test against India in January marking the fourth year of the friendship, and will celebrate the 68 McGrath Breast Care Nurses who have helped support more than10,000 Australian families through a breast cancer experience in the past three years.