Australians had purchased a staggering 41,734 virtual seats at the annual SCG Pink Test almost 24 hours before play began in the crucial clash between the home team and India.
The SCG is bathed in this color in January each year in honor of Jane, the wife of legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who died of breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 42.
Her passing led to the formation of the McGrath Foundation, which has been organizing the test to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer for the past 16 years.
However, 2025 is the first year that proceeds from virtual seat purchases – the foundation's main method of raising match money – will go towards fighting all forms of cancer in Australia.
The organizers aim to sell 350,000 cyber-seats during the match, so the news that they have made so much progress before the ball is released will be huge for the Foundation.
The news comes after Pat Cummins told his Australian teammates to go for the kill and go for victory at the SCG, even though a draw was enough to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Glenn McGrath (front) during the Pink March before the start of the fifth test at the SCG on Friday.
This year's pre-match display had a distinctly Indian flavor as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is on the line.
The Australians had brought almost 42,000 virtual seats to the match before play began, and the McGrath Foundation was already on track to reach its goal of 350,000.
Friday's clash is shaping up to be one of the biggest home tests this century, and the first time Sydney has had a live series finale since 2004.
With a 2-1 lead, Australia will end 10 years of Indian dominance with a win or a draw.
But the stakes are also higher after Monday's thrilling last-gasp victory at the MCG.
A win in Sydney would secure a place in June's World Test Championship final against South Africa, with two Tests still to be played in Sri Lanka later in the summer.
Rain could also play a role, with good weather forecast for the first three days before rain on Monday and Tuesday.
That could help Australia if they fall behind and need to save the Test, with India being the team that must win in Sydney.
Still, Cummins said playing to tie was the last thing on his mind.
“You go in thinking only about victory,” said Australia's Test captain.
“If the terrain or the weather or anything takes you in a different direction, then maybe. But that's really it.
“It's not until day four or five that you consider something like that.”
The Sydney test will also go a long way to determining the legacy of the current Australian team.
While Beau Webster will make his debut in Sydney and teenager Sam Konstas will play his second Test, Australia's team consists of 10 players over 30 years of age.
Australian captain Pat Cummins (pictured with McGrath at the SCG) has told his team-mates to do everything they can to win, even though a draw is enough to secure the trophy.
Of the experienced group, only Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon played in a Test series victory over India, back in 2014-15.
In the time since the current group retained the Ashes twice in England, they have won a World Test Championship and claimed the 50-over and T20 World Cups.
But a Border-Gavaskar series victory over India has been the only thing that has eluded Australia, with two series defeats in India and another two at home.
“It's a big thing I want to tick off,” Cummins said earlier this summer.
'Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, including me, expect us to do well when we play at home.
“We've lost the (last) two series against them (in Australia), so this one is important.
“We feel like our team is in a very good place, so we have no reason why we shouldn't perform very well.”
“I always hope we do well against whoever we play. But India, in particular, it's a great year, a great season.”