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McGrath has plenty of reasons to be happy after hitting 61 in the first Test against New Zealand
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The rewards are rolling in for Glenn McGrath, following his Test-best 61
against New Zealand in the first Test at Brisbane. He has netted the
McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation AUS$10,000 (£4,200) from one sponsor, and
the same amount for himself from Sommers, his bat manufacturers.
Prior to the innings, McGrath had been in danger of finishing his career
with more wickets than runs - his tallies in the run-up to the Brisbane
Test had been 454 and 477 respectively. But he revealed in Sydney's
Sunday Telegraph newspaper that New Loan, one of his sponsors, had
promised to give $10,000 to the McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation if he
reached a Test half-century. McGrath's English-born wife Jane underwent
treatment for breast cancer in 2003.
Mark Waugh had famously bet Shane Warne that McGrath would never make a
first-class fifty, which he achieved in July 2000 when he made 55 for
Worcestershire against Nottinghamshire at New Road in July 2000, as he put
on 103 for the last wicket with Kabir Ali.
But further incentive was needed for him to repeat the feat in Tests.
McGrath therefore negotiated a clause in his batting contract that ensured
he'd win a similar bonus himself for reaching a Test half-century.
John Rennie, the managing director of Sydney-based Sommers, was delighted
with the exposure his client won for him, but indicated that he thought
that, like many, the chances of McGrath ever making a fifty were slim. His
cheque will be presented before the start of the second Test, starting at
Adelaide this Friday.