The wife of Glenn McGrath, the former Australia bowler, lost her battle with cancer and brought tributes from around the cricketing world praising her ‘courageous' attitude in fighting the disease

Australia players will wear pink ribbons on their shirts for their one-day international against West Indies today as a tribute to Jane McGrath, the wife of Glenn, the former Australia fast bowler, who lost her 11-year battle with cancer on Sunday at the age of 42.

They will also fit pink grips to their bats for the match in St Vincent, the colour reflecting the breast cancer foundation that the McGraths created in 2002. West Indies are considering making their own tribute and Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies batsman, said yesterday: “We extend our sympathy to Glenn and his family and hope they can stay strong.”

Sympathy was added by Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime Minister, who said: “Jane's courageous struggle touched all Australians.” The McGraths were appointed Members of the Order of Australia this year in recognition of their charity work.

The former Jane Steele received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 1997, two years after the English-born flight attendant met McGrath in a nightclub in Hong Kong. They married in 1999 and had two children. In 2003, bone cancer in a hip was diagnosed and three years later doctors discovered a brain tumour. She died at home.

Although his wife was ill for much of his Test career, McGrath's professionalism earned him a reputation as one of the most effective opening bowlers in world cricket. He retired after the World Cup in 2007. Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, said: “Jane was a wonderful person who fought and maintained grace and dignity during her long-term illness.”

Mark Newton, the chief executive of Worcestershire, where McGrath played in 2000, paid tribute to “an immensely popular woman who was much loved at New Road”.