Sydney’s New Year test cricket extravaganza turns pink for charity
A Pink Parade, Steve Irwin costumes and bouncing beach balls marked the start of a Sydney’s New Year test cricket extravaganza. See our recap of what happened in the stands on day one.
NSW
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The gates of the Sydney Cricket Ground opened at 7.30am yesterday and the first of 65,000 schooners of beer was consumed at 7.32am.
Welcome to Sydney’s New Year test where Steve Irwin costumes and bouncing beach balls marked the start of a cricket extravaganza that has a pink cancer charity heart at its centre.
The traditional New Year’s Test wet weather curse is expected to hit tomorrow but it was Pakistan who provided a couple of ducks for more than 30,000 fans including former Prime Minister John Howard and opposition leader Peter Dutton on the opening day.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bat first. The crowd roared in delight as both the openers fell for ducks in the first two overs.
The joy continued as the Aussie bowling attack tore through the batting line up before Mohammad Rizwan restored some semblance of order in the Pakistan ranks ahead of a determined last wicket stand to stall David Warner’s SCG swan song to just one dramatic, nail biting over last night.
For the Aussie fans the talk was all about Warner’s missing baggy green caps. The retiring batsman took to Instagram to appeal for the caps to be returned after they went missing from his bag on a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney.
Cricket fan William Johnson, 22, flew in from New Zealand and headed straight to the SCG for the opening day’s play.
“It’s really gutting about his baggy green so I really hope someone hands it back,” he said. “He does not need that for his final test match, it’s very slack to take anything that’s not yours.”
Nikhil Ullal, 34, from Bondi said the Sydney test was part of Australian life combining “30 degree heat, mates and beers” and would only be improved if Warner got his caps back.
“Although I think Warner is a polarising figure I still think it’s great to see everyone getting around him,” he said.
The day began with a pink parade with cricket legend Glen McGrath leading hundreds on a walk through the SCG precinct in support of those with breast cancer.
“We are thrilled to kick off the Pink Test with such a vibrant celebration. The Pink Parade captures what it means to unite in pink,” said McGrath, Co-Founder and President of the McGrath Foundation named in honour of his wife Jane who died from breast cancer.
Day three of the test is Jane McGrath day but fans were already dressed in pink and supporting the fundraising campaign which aims to sell 322,000 virtual pink seats to fund 250 McGrath Breast Care nurses.
SCG chief executive Kerrie Mather said it had been a fantastic start to “the biggest and best week” on the NSW sporting calendar.
“There is no better sight than seeing the grandstands full of pink in support of such a great cause for the McGrath Foundation.
“We are so looking forward to the next few days and hopefully a fitting send off for Dave Warner in his final Test.”
Thursday is known as the “Richie Day” with fans of legendary commentator Richie Benaud expected to turn up in their safari suits and grey wigs for a truly “marvellous” day.
For the first day fans also wore Steve Irwin crocodile hunter costumes and tossed beach balls to others dressed as Sesame Street characters and nuns.
Kiran Fitzsimonds, 30, from the Hills district said he and his friends had been attending the test for 13 years and it had become a great tradition.
“We come here and dress up as Steve Irwin every year and it’s a good opportunity to see people you don’t get to see all the time,” he said. “It’s a social event where people we don’t know turn up but you automatically become friends with them.”
But the antics of some Steve Irwins proved too much for security guards with more than 20 ejected after they formed a giant beer snake from empty plastic cups.
In total on day one the cricket loving fans consumed 65,000 schooners of beer, 12,500 buckets of hot chips and 5000 burgers as 2000 staff worked tirelessly to keep them fed and watered.
Hotel magnate Justin Hemmes’ Merivale caterers provided a Pakistan themed menu with papdi chaat, chickpea curry and curry lamb pie proving a hit with the record 33,905 day one Pakistan test crowd at the SCG.
Pakistan’s supporters were also in full voice despite their team struggling out in the middle as Aussie captain Pat Cummins wreaked havoc with the ball.
Leroy Gonsalves, 38, from Parramatta, said it was great to see so much support for Pakistan and for the crowd to be in such good voice.
“The banter between the Aussies is really fun and we enjoy the camaraderie,” he said. “It’s brilliant, this is what test match cricket is all about.
“Although it’s tough to see your team lose, it’s just great to get to see them.”
Pakistani supporter Mozilla and his family attended the game and were delighted to see the turnout from his fellow countrymen.
“As Pakistanis we always love watching our cricket, even though we aren’t doing too well today we will hopefully put up a fight to the Aussies.” he said.
Fans will have to bring their wet weather gear today with the wet weather curse likely to strike with showers and storms. Six of the last seven tests at the SCG have been interrupted by rain.
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