In its fifth year, Jane McGrath Day has outgrown itself.
No longer is it simply a tribute to the late wife of Test great Glenn McGrath who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008.
Nor is it merely a vehicle to raise valuable funds for the McGrath Foundation to be put towards breast cancer awareness and research.
The success of the “Pink Test” has been so enormous that the third day of the Sydney Test is now an example of strength for suffers of all cancer and all tales of survival.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade’s outstanding century on Saturday put Australia in a commanding position to win the Test, but it pales in comparison to his greatest fight.
As a teenager the 25-year-old went through two rounds of chemotherapy to beat testicular cancer, something his fiancee said gave the innings particular importance on such a day.
“Matt has gone through a cancer battle of his own and he went through a battle out there (on Saturday),” Julia Barry explained.
“The Sydney Test is a really special Test for people who are dealing with cancer or who have been through that battle.”
McGrath, owner of 563 Test wickets, expresses pleasant shock at how the Sydney Test has embraced the pink mentality.
Prime Minster Julia Gillard wore a pink dress, wide-brimmed hat and neckerchief to the high tea held annually at the SCG.
“I just view today as a very proud moment,” McGrath said.
“It is an amazing day. It’s a day that there’s so much happening.
“In the past there was so much happening that I didn’t take it all in. At some point today I’ll take some time to absorb it all.
“Because of my family and because of Jane people have come out and supported this thing.”
And their support has transformed it into something bigger than the McGrath family could have envisaged.