As South Africa and England take the field at Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday, the teams will be sporting pink on their jerseys in a bid to support and unite cricket fans and spread awareness and raise funds for breast cancer.
Credits: England cricket Twitter
The match on Sunday will be South Africa’s ninth edition of the pink day fundraising match and England will join them in supporting the cause with a special edition jersey that has a bit of pink in it. Like with the last few years, the earnings from Pink Day will go towards the Breast Care Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.
Last year, South Africa raised more than one million rand on pink day when they hosted – and lost for the first time in pink – Pakistan. England’s gesture to join in the act is heartwarming.
Joe Root said on the eve of the match that it was a great “honour” for the team to be a part of this.
“Every year we see the great work Pink Day does in raising money for brilliant causes and it will be great to see both sides stepping out in special New Balance kits on the day. To be the first opposition team to join the cause is going to be really special and we’re looking forward to playing our part in raising funds for these incredibly important charities.”
Credits: Cricket Australia
South Africa’s annual pink day deal is also a tradition in Australia. The third day of the traditional Sydney Test on New Year’s occasion is also the “Pink Day”. The funds raised in Australia during the pink day goes to the Glenn McGrath Foundation, founded by former Aussie pacer Glenn McGrath and his wife following her recovery from cancer in 2005.