Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Players and families of the Australian and Pakistan men’s cricket teams attended the annual New Year’s Day Reception co-hosted by Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP and Ms Jodie Haydon at Kirribilli House in Sydney last night.
The event was held ahead of the third NRMA Insurance Test Match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on 3 January 2024, with Australia leading the series 2-0. While Australia have secured the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, both teams will be looking to advance their chances in the ICC World Test Championship in the final match of the series.
Also in attendance were former Australian captains Alex Blackwell and Lisa Sthalekar, together with former England player, Isa Guha and other current cricket commentators, along with representatives from the McGrath Foundation, the official charity partner of the NRMA Insurance Pink Test.
Since 2009, Cricket Australia, Venues NSW, the Sydney Cricket Ground and the McGrath Foundation have collaborated to make the Pink Test one of the biggest charitable sporting events in the world.
Thanks to the generosity of the cricket community, the Pink Test has helped raise more than $22 million to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses throughout Australia.
Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister, Hon Anthony Albanese MP:
“It’s an honour to welcome Pat Cummins, Shan Masood, their two teams and families to Kirribilli House.
“Our Australian men’s players have spoken of the warm reception they received in their most recent tour of Pakistan in 2022, so Jodie and I are thrilled to play a part in reciprocating this hospitality.
“This year’s annual event is extra special, as we also acknowledge the success of our men’s and women’s cricketers, who have both won World Cup titles in the last 12 months as well as retained the Ashes.
“Captains Pat and Alyssa Healy and their teams continue to proudly represent Australians on the world stage.
“We now look forward to the ‘Pink Test’ at the SCG, which has become an iconic part of Australia’s summer of cricket. I’d like to thank Glenn and the whole team at the McGrath Foundation for their continued dedication to improving the lives of families affected by breast cancer.”
Quotes attributable to Cricket Australia Chair, Mike Baird AO:
“Cricket has a long tradition of welcoming touring teams from across the globe to our shores and we thank the Prime Minister and Ms Haydon for continuing the annual New Year’s Day Reception at Kirribilli House.
“The Pink Test in Sydney demonstrates the best of the Australian spirit and we are incredibly proud to continue the affiliation with the McGrath Foundation for the 16th year. The public’s support for the Pink Test continues to go from strength to strength and it’s very special that this iconic Test Match makes a real difference to the lives of families experiencing breast cancer around Australia.
“Thank you to the Pakistan team for their support of the Pink Test and we look forward to what will be another terrific Test match at the SCG.”
Quotes attributable to McGrath Foundation Co-Founder and President, Glenn McGrath AM:
“It’s great to be at Kirribilli House ahead of the 16th Pink Test. We’re so grateful for the support that we’ve had from the public, our partners, the Australian Government and both the Australian and touring sides over the past 16 Pink Tests.
“We’re looking forward to another great Pink Test and thank both the Australian and Pakistan teams for uniting in pink as we work towards our goal of reaching 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses this year.”
