Why Australia have ditched the baggy green for red caps ahead of the Test at Lord’s in a move that’s very close to skipper Pat Cummins’ heart
- Australia to wear red caps in Ashes second Test at Lord’s
- Nod to Ruth Strauss, late wife of England’s Andrew Strauss
- Ruth Strauss died in 2018 aged 46 from rare form of lung cancer
- Comes after Pat Cummins’ wife Maria died in March
When Australia take on England in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s this week, they won’t be wearing their traditional baggy green caps.
Instead they will don red hats as they help out a cause very close to skipper Pat Cummins’ heart.
It is a collective nod to Ruth Strauss – the wife of former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss – who died in 2018 aged just 46 from a rare form of lung cancer.
She was a non-smoker, with the Ruth Strauss Foundation set up to honour her memory and support families who are grieving after losing a parent to the disease.
Cummins’ mother Maria passed away in March not long after she was placed into palliative care after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Australian team are pictured wearing red caps instead of the traditional baggy green at Lord’s on Monday
The change is part of a nod to Ruth Strauss – the wife of former England captain Andrew Strauss (pictured) – who died in 2018 aged just 46 from a rare form of lung cancer
England’s XI will also don the red caps at Lord’s as part of the #RedforRuth campaign
She was first diagnosed in 2005 before the disease returned in early 2022.
The #RedforRuth campaign, now in its fifth year, raises awareness and vital funding for the foundation’s mission.
Both sides will wear red caps in the field or at the crease – just like they did in the 2019 Ashes series – as it was Ruth’s favourite colour.
Strauss can’t wait to see the scenes at Lord’s – the home of cricket – from both teams and the crowd.
‘With the incredible support of the cricket community and beyond we have been able to develop a support service for families who face the terrible ordeal of losing a loved one,’ the former opening batter said.
‘We are immensely proud and grateful for what we have been able to achieve so far – but we have a long way to go.
‘The ambition is to help as many people as possible, and days like #RedforRuth at Lord’s are vital for us to keep going.’
Pat Cummins’ mum Maria (pictured left, with her son and daughters) lost her battle with breast cancer in March
Cummins left Australia’s tour of India in March to be with his mother as she spent her final moments in palliative care
The initiative is looking to replicate the incredible feats of the McGrath Foundation’s Jane McGrath Day, where thousands of spectators wear pink on day three of the annual New Year’s Test at the SCG.
Since its inception in 2009, Jane McGrath Day has raised millions of dollars to support breast care nurses around the nation.
Jane McGrath – the wife of Aussie cricket great Glenn McGrath and mother of two – was 42 when she died in 2008.
After winning a thrilling first Test at Edbgaston, Australia are slightly favoured to win at Lord’s and take a 2-0 series lead.
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