Matthew Wade made a compelling case to make the No.6 spot his own with a brilliant century on the most appropriate day of them all.
The cancer survivor had his greatest cricketing moment on a day dedicated to the memory of Jane McGrath, the wife of Australian great Glenn, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008.
Wade’s calm knock came in the face of increasing pressure over his place in the team – with his indifferent form behind the stumps compounded by the impressive state form of his predecessor, Brad Haddin.
When the 25-year-old brought up the milestone on Saturday with a dashing cut shot, his ninth in the innings, he ran towards the Members Pavilion and let out a roar as he leapt into the air in celebration.
Watching from the stand was fiancee Julia Barry, who cheered as Wade scored his last 30 runs with only No.11 Jackson Bird as support.
Barry said Wade’s emotional release was a result of the pressure on his spot and coming on Jane McGrath Day at the SCG just added to the occasion.
As a teenager Wade was diagnosed with testicular cancer and went through two bouts of chemotherapy.
“Matt has gone through a cancer battle of his own and he went through a battle out there today,” Barry said.
“The Sydney Test is a really special Test for people who are dealing with cancer or who have been through that battle.
“It’s very special that at the Pink Test, the McGrath foundation, Jane McGrath Saturday … it’s exciting.”
Barry said Wade’s passion for sport never waned during his cancer ordeal – in fact it helped get him through it.
“It was about when he’ll play cricket again or when he’ll go back to footy training,” she said.
“It was never ‘cancer is going to beat me’. He was determined and was never going to let it beat him.
“He was working at the time having left year 12 and it was that goal at the end of the day … he was all about getting better so he could go back to footy training and cricket.”
Wade’s century helped Australia to a 138-run first innings lead and was his first in Australia – following 106 in the West Indies last year.
Barry admitted she had slept through his first Test ton and said there was nothing that was going to stop her watching his second.
“When he made his century in Dominica, I wasn’t awake,” she said.
“I was sound asleep and woke up with about 30 phone calls and text messages, so it’s a really special moment.”
