Aussies to wear pink ribbons to pay homage to Jane McGrath

Melbourne, June 24 (PTI) - The Australian cricket team will
pay homage to their retired pace legend Glenn McGrath's
deceased wife, Jane, by wearing pink ribbons and using grips
of the same colour in Tuesday's one-dayer against the West
Indies in St. Vincent.

"As a mark of respect to the McGrath family, all
Australian players will wear pink ribbons and batsmen will use
pink grips during the batting innings," Cricket Australia said
in a statement here Monday.

Jane died last morning after a decade-long battle with
breast cancer and the colour pink represents the McGrath
Foundation she co-instituted with her husband Glenn to support
women battling the disease.

"This gesture by the players is one they were all very
keen to do. They all wish to show their respects for Jane and
ensure Glenn is aware they are thinking of him during this
difficult time," Australian Team Manager Stephen Bernard
said.

Earlier, the Australian team offered its condolences to
the McGrath family.

Speaking on behalf of the team, skipper Ricky Ponting
expressed his deepest sympathies to Glenn, Holly and James.

"All of us are thinking about Glenn and their children at
this very sad time. We all wish to convey that our best wishes
go with him and to know our heartfelt sympathies are with the
family at this time. Jane will be very fondly remembered by
all of us," Ponting said. PTI