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Ashes 2013-14: Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson dyes his moustache bright pink for charity

 

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 04 January 2014 16:57 GMT
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Mitchell Johnson has died his moustache pink for charity ahead of the third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test
Mitchell Johnson has died his moustache pink for charity ahead of the third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test

Australia’s fast bowler and chief tormentor of England Mitchell Johnson has blown away the opposition in the 2013-14 Ashes Series with a flurry of aggressive bouncers and famous stone-cold stare, but those at the crease tomorrow may be forgiven for having a cheeky snigger back towards him.

Johnson has decided to dye his moustache, which is already proving to be a symbol of hate for the Barmy Army, bright pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The charity was set-up by former Australia great Glenn McGrath following his wife’s initial diagnosis with breast cancer in 2002 and subsequent death in 2008.

Spectators are encouraged to wear pink in support of the charity tomorrow, and having initially grown his moustache to promote Movember men’s health before the series, the 32-year-old left-armer has elected to take his facial grooming a step further.

The third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney is dedicated to the McGrath Foundation, which attempts to raise money for breast care nurses. The Australians have already converted their famous ‘baggy green’ caps to pink, but Johnson has felt it necessary to go the extra mile.

While the gesture is clearly in support of the charity, it could be seen as the final act in embarrassing the England side that has performed terribly throughout the series. They look on course for a 5-0 whitewash having ended the second day at the SCG with a 311-run deficit, and could even lose the final Test within three days should they suffer another batting collapse.

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