If you walked around the Lord’s Cricket Ground on the second day of the third Test between India and England, you would immediately notice the sea of red—fans proudly wearing red clothing and accessories in support of a cause bigger than the game itself. This is ‘Red Day,’ dedicated to the Red for Ruth Foundation, which provides support to families coping with the loss of a parent and raises awareness about rare lung cancers. The Foundation was set up by former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss in memory of his wife Ruth Strauss.
It is a stark reminder that in countries like Australia and England, cricket has grown beyond boundaries and scoreboards; it has become a powerful platform for social change. And I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this transformation firsthand, at the Pink Test in Sydney, the many initiatives conducted by the Shane Warne Foundation at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and finally the Red for Ruth Day at Lord’s.
During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, throughout the premises of the MCG, the Shane Warne Foundation had set up countless free cardiac health check-up booths. The foundation set an early example of how sporting icons can mobilise support for those in need. Warne’s foundation raised millions for seriously ill and underprivileged children. On days like that there is a feeling of purpose in the room, far beyond the glitz of the cricketing world.
Also Read: Red Day in memory of Ruth Strauss – Lord’s diary
Then there’s the Pink Test at the SCG, where the stadium turns pink in support of the McGrath Foundation, founded by Glenn McGrath in honour of his late wife, Jane. On day three of the Test match, from players to fans, everyone dons pink clothing. It is a sight that is deeply moving. Over the years, the initiative has raised millions of dollars and has funded breast cancer care nurses across Australia.
In a world where sport has started to feel detached from real life with its magnanimity, these initiatives, especially in cricket, are something deeply human. Whether it’s about raising awareness for cancer, funding healthcare, or even honouring the memory of those that have come before us, cricket in England and Australia has shown that it can be more than just a game. And when tens of thousands come together in pink or red, it’s a reminder that solidarity is the very essence of sport.
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