Rewards keep coming for McGrath after his fifty

McGrath has plenty of reasons to be happy after hitting 61 in the first Test against New Zealand © Getty Images Enlarge

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.