Sarah bowls over medal guests

Source: The Sun-Herald - February 13, 2004

LEUKEMIA sufferer Sarah Genuis stole the show at last night's Allan Border Medal presentation at Crown casino.

The gutsy Melbourne teenager, set to have a bone marrow transplant later this year, graced the red carpet as the date of tearaway Australian pace bowler Brett Lee.

Lee invited Genuis, 14, to cricket's night of nights through the Make A Wish Foundation.

Sarah told the Herald Sun it was the best night of her life.

"I've never experienced anything like it," she said.

"Brett is an amazing guy and I will never forget what he has done for me."

A who's who of Australian cricket, past and present, turned out for the 1000-person dinner at the Palladium Ballroom, but it was the wives and girlfriends who captured the spotlight.

Dress of the night went to Haley Rich, partner of New South Wales paceman Nathan Bracken, with a close second going to Kym Johnson, girlfriend of Tasmanian all-rounder Shane Watson.

Special guests included Kiwi umpire Billy Bowden, footy legend Bobby Skilton, Australian Idol star Shannon Noll, and Richmond Tigers' skipper Wayne Campbell.

Spin king Shane Warne, with his wife Simone, made his first appearance at an official cricket function since his return from a 12-month drug ban, while batsman Damien Martyn, who's struggling for runs, seems to be battling off-field too, claiming he couldn't find a date.

"I'm single and looking for love," he said.

Recently retired Test skipper Steve Waugh arrived with wife Lynette, while his replacement, Ricky Ponting, sporting an open-neck shirt, was all smiles with wife Rianna.

The guest of honour, Allan Border, was one of the last to arrive with wife Jane.

Other couples to catch the eye were last year's winner, Adam Gilchrist, and wife Melinda, Matthew and Kellie Hayden and cricket's wild man, Jason Gillespie with wife Anna.

- MICHAEL WARNER