Commentator Healy under fire for breast cancer gesture
by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter
DateLine: 10th February 2007
Former Test star turned television commentator Ian Healy was forced to
apologise Friday for making an insensitive gesture as Australian
all-rounder Andrew Symonds spoke about breast cancer.
Healy, who earned 119 Test caps as Australian wicketkeeper, pretended
he was playing a violin as Symonds explained in the commentary box that
he was playing with a pink bat grip in order to raise awareness about
breast cancer.
Channel Nine reported its switchboards around the country were swamped
with calls from viewers outraged at the gesture.
Healy denied he was making light of breast cancer.
"I was winding Andrew Symonds up to talk about his pink grip, you know,
we've got these massive big blokes using pink grips on their bat and
that was the wind-up," Healy told Channel Nine. "As he got into his
promotion of the scheme I did the air violin as people are calling it
now. People have perceived that to be me mocking breast cancer, now no
one in the world would mock breast cancer research or breast cancer."
Breast cancer is a senstive issue in the Australian team as fast bowler
Glenn McGrath's wife Jane has battled the disease.
Healy said he did not need to apologise to his former teammate.
"I don't feel the need to talk to Pidgey (McGrath), I know Jane
wouldn't have taken that personally and wouldn't have drawn that
perception," he said.
Channel Nine reported that Healy's apology had been accepted by the
station and his commentary job was secure.
