3rd ODI South Africa Vs Pak ~ when New Wanderers turned pink

Cricket is exciting and One dayers are always absorbing… the ODI no. 3347 between South Africa and Pakistan on 17^th Mar 2013 was important in more than one way ~ the result – SA winning by 34 runs was insignificant in some ways.  Six years ago, this was the ground that produced what it still advertised as the "Greatest ODI of all time," the 438 game between South Africa and Australia. The Wanderers one-day surface promises runs and pace  ~ still the stress was on something else. 

The South African players and host of the spectators turned in pink colours.  For a century, Cricketers routinely turned out in white and white flannels ~ the advent of Packer changed the rules and now a days in most major tournaments and in One dayers, especially in Day Night affairs, players wear colour dresses.  India wears blue, Pakistan – Light Green; South Africa – Green; Nederlands – Orange…..

This was not the first time though ! The 2011 test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg when South Africa played Australia was  the first "Pink Test" outside of Australia, following on the success of the 2009 Sydney Pink Test  which was for raising funds for both the McGrath Foundation and local cancer charity Cansa. At Wanderers, the Australian team wore  the McGrath Foundation logo on the collar of their playing shirts to show their support for the McGrath Foundation and the Wanderers Ground turned "pink"

On Sunday, 17^th March 2013, Johannesburg's Wanderers cricket stadium was pink all over - the Proteas, the scoreboard, Castle Lager adverts and the fans - as the South African one-day international (ODI) team did its bit in the fight against breast cancer, with a world record thrown in for good measure during the third ODI against Pakistan. It made for an impressive spectacle as a world record attempt for "the most people wearing a single colour, in one venue, for a good cause" was pursued in support of the PinkDrive.  As a fund-raiser, the day was reportedly  a fantastic success, with R184 460 being raised.

Proteas' ODI captain, AB de Villiers, thanked the Bidvest Wanderers fans for their enthusiastic support of the Momentum Pink ODI on Sunday. The near sell-out crowd donned their pink in support of the day.

The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Pink ribbons, and the color pink in general, identify the wearer or promoter with the breast cancer brand and express moral support for women with breast cancer. Pink ribbons are most commonly seen during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

21^st Mar 2013.