Australia-Windies Test to raise $380,000 for McGrath Foundation

The Australian Test cricket squad on Friday joined the McGrath Foundation to help raise awareness of the need for breast care nursing services in the country and announce the fundraising goal of $380,000 for the eighth Pink Test -- the third match between Steven Smith's men against the West Indies starting here on Sunday.

McGrath Foundation co-founder and president Glenn McGrath presented the Australian team with their baggy pink caps for the traditional pre-Test team photo and announced the need for increased funding to address the national shortfall in breast care nurses, according to a Cricket Australia (CA) release.

"With 43 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer every day there is critical and continuing need for more McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support families through breast cancer," McGrath said.

"This year we've set our Pink Test fundraising goal at $380,000, which will fund one new McGrath Breast Care Nurse for three years."

Beginning January 3, the Pink Test has become an iconic event, in particular Day 3 of the Test that has come to be known as Jane McGrath Day. On that day the entire crowd turns pink to support the McGrath Foundation and raise funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities all over Australia.

Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said: "We're incredibly proud to be supporting the McGrath Foundation, with the Pink Test in Sydney now truly one of the great occasions on the Australian sporting calendar."

"Every year we're amazed by the overwhelming support the Pink Test generates for the Foundation and its important work. From the two competing teams to the thousands of fans who bathe the SCG in pink, it demonstrates the positive difference sport can make to society," he said.

"Thanks to the cricket community, the Test has raised more than $5 million, helping the McGrath Foundation place 110 breast care nurses across Australia and demonstrating cricket's ability to galvanise public support behind an important cause," Sutherland added.

Research from the McGrath Foundation shows that in 2016 there will be a shortfall of 85 breast care nurses across the country and this figure will grow by 28 percent by 2020.

The Pink Test is a feature of Cricket Cares, CA's community action programme.